Russia sees no alternative to political settlement of Iranian nuclear problem; Russia and Ukraine agreed to jointly produce world’s largest aircraft; European Union will not impose sanctions on Russia on the mater related to Navalny case; Russia and South
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    • (JULY 15-21)

    According to reports, Russia’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Pyotr Ilyichov has said that Russia does not believe that there is an alternative to the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear program and is against imposition of unilateral sanctions on the country. 1

    Russia and Ukraine have agreed to establish a joint venture for the production of the world’s largest aircraft - AN-124 Ruslan, capable of lifting 100 tonnes of cargo from short runways. 2

    According to reports, the spokesperson to the EU foreign policy chief Maja Kocijancic has said that the European Union will continue to the situation related to the verdict of anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny and discuss the protection of human rights at meetings with Russian officials even though there was no proposal to impose sanctions on Russia. However, the current case does have the potential to negatively impact EU-Russia relations. 3

    Russian and South Korean foreign ministries have discussed North Korea’s nuclear issue and the outlook for resumption of six-party talks over the de-nuclearization of Korean Peninsula. 4

    Reports noted that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has ordered the Finance Ministry to pay the Soviet debt of 8 million U.S. dollars to the Czech Republic. The debt is to be paid off in a lump sum of 80 percent of the amount owned, which amounts to US$ 6.5 billion. The Ministry has already signed agreements on similar debt payments with Slovakia and Serbia. 5

    Reports noted that Russia will raise the oil export duties to US$ 379.8 per tonne starting from August 1, 2013 which is US$ 10.6 more than in July, 2013. 6

    In other developments, according to reports, CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha has said that the member countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) have completed the formation of a mechanism of ‘joint response to emergencies’. 7

    Deputy Minister of Economic Development Andrei Klepach has revealed that Russia’s economic growth in January-June 2013 was 1.7 per cent. 8

    Ex CIA employee wanted Edward Snowden has applied for temporary asylum in Russia. The head of the Russian Federal Migration Service, Konstantin Romodanovsky has said that the application will be considered within three months and in the meantime he will get a certificate giving him the right to stay in Russia. 9

    President Vladimir Putin believes that Sakhalin has become a world-level energy center, and called for continuing its development. He urged to pay special attention to expanding the gas supply network in the Sakhalin region. 10

    The United States plans to join the European Union in a World Trade Organization case that challenges a Russian auto recycling fee program as an illegal trade barrier against imported cars. 11

    According to reports, the U.S. State Department has announced a grant competition for Russian and American organizations to create programs aimed at improving bilateral relations. Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded to noncommercial organizations for creating meetings, virtual interactions, exchanges and internships between Americans and Russians. 12

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