Russia could be like “North Korea on steroids” when Putin is replaced
Former Kremlin adviser Sergei Guriev has warned that Russia could become “North Korea on steroids” when President Vladimir Putin is replaced.
“Regimes like this change in very unpredictable ways,” Guriev told CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick at the Ambrosetti Forum in Italy. “The reason for this is that Putin has built his regime in such a way that no one can replace him.”
Guriev, a Russian economist who abruptly left the country in 2013, said Putin’s successor would likely not last long because the system is currently built around the 69-year-old leader.
“It could be months, it could be several years, it could be North Korea on steroids, who knows? But it could also be a situation where the system collapses and someone who wants to rebuild the economy comes to the West,” Guriev. said
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—Sam Meredith
Now is the time for a price cap on Russian gas, EU chief says
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says now is the time for the bloc to impose a price cap on the Russian pipeline.
John Thys | AFP | Getty Images
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the 27-nation bloc must urgently set a price cap on Russian gas flowing to Europe.
“I strongly believe that now is the time for a price cap on Russian gas pipeline to Europe,” von der Leyen told reporters, according to Reuters.
It comes shortly after Belgian Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten warned that the next five to 10 winters in Europe will be “terrible” unless the EU moves quickly to impose a price cap on gas prices.
—Sam Meredith
Russia warns Moldova not to threaten troops
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a press conference in Moscow, Russia, June 6, 2022.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia | Reuters
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the eastern European country of Moldova that any threat to the security of Russian forces in the breakaway region of Transnistria would be considered an attack on Moscow.
“Everyone must understand that any kind of action that threatens the security of our military will be considered in accordance with international law as an attack on the Russian Federation,” Lavrov said, according to the Associated Press.
Internationally recognized as part of Moldova, Transnistria is located on Ukraine’s southwestern border and is home to a significant pro-Russian separatist population.
Lavrov’s comments have renewed fears that the region could be at risk of conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to reports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova summoned the acting Russian ambassador to clarify the situation.
—Sam Meredith
UN inspectors at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant ‘going nowhere’
UN inspectors vowed to continue their visit to a Russian-controlled nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine despite a first shelling attack on the town next to the facility.
Genia Savilov | Afp | Getty Images
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, is adamant the team will maintain a continued presence at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine.
His comments come as both Russia and Ukraine say they fear a possible radiation disaster as a result of heavy bombing at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. The IAEA was finally able to visit the site on Thursday after a delay of several hours.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Grossi told reporters. “The IAEA is now there, it’s in the plant and it’s not moving. It’s going to stay there. We’ll have a continued presence there in the plant.”
When asked if the world should be concerned about the Zaporizhzhia plant, Grossi replied: “I didn’t have to come here to worry about the plant. I was concerned, I am concerned and I will continue to be concerned about the plant until we have a situation that is more stable, that is more predictable.”
—Sam Meredith
Russia’s energy influence over Europe may be coming to an end
Although the EU is on track to exceed targets for filling gas storage facilities, analysts warn that this alone will not be enough.
Alliance of the image | Alliance of the image | Getty Images
Russia’s energy influence over Europe appears to be ending, energy and policy analysts say, which could ease the risk of further supply disruptions.
Europe has suffered in recent months from a sharp drop in gas exports from Russia, traditionally its main energy supplier.
A bitter gas dispute between Brussels and Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated the risk of recession and gas shortages in the winter. In addition, many fear that Russia may soon turn off the taps completely.
Asked whether Russia’s energy influence over Europe may be coming to an end, Agathe Demarais, director of global forecasting at The Economist Intelligence Unit, told CNBC: “Yes. A lot, actually.”
“Europe is heading into a very difficult winter, probably two years of very difficult adjustment with a lot of economic pain. But then Europe will become more independent with a more diversified mix,” Demarais said.
“And that means Russia’s energy weapon will become moot,” he added.
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—Sam Meredith
Oil rises as G-7 finance chiefs set to advance Russian oil price cap plan
More than 7 million Ukrainians have become war refugees from Russia
Twins Artur (L) and 6-year-old Dawid from Odessa are seen waiting at Przemysl train station in southeastern Poland on April 6, 2022.
Wojtek Radwanski AFP | Getty Images
More than 7 million Ukrainians have become refugees and moved to neighboring countries since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, the UN Refugee Agency estimates.
Nearly 4 million of these people have applied for temporary resident status in neighboring Western countries, according to data collected by the agency.
“The escalating conflict in Ukraine has led to civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, forcing people to flee their homes in search of safety, protection and assistance,” the UN Refugee Agency wrote.
— Amanda Macias
Zelenskyy said journalists were barred from visiting the Zaporizhzhia plant with IAEA inspectors
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes hands with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who is to lead a planned mission to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as the Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on August 30, 2022.
Presidential Press Service of Ukraine | via Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an evening speech that both Ukrainian and international journalists were not allowed to visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with IAEA representatives.
“Today, the IAEA mission arrived at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. It is good that it happened, the fact itself, despite all the provocations of the Russian army and the cynical bombing of Enerhodar and the territory of the ‘station,’ he said in an update. on the Telegram messaging app, according to a translation by NBC News.
Zelenskyy added that the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, promised him that independent journalists would accompany the inspectors.
“Unfortunately, IAEA representatives did not protect representatives of independent media,” Zelenskyy added.
— Amanda Macias