Russia and Italy discuss developments in Syria and Afghanistan; Gas production in Russia goes down in 2013; Russia’s Supreme Court reduces the jail terms of Khodorkovsky and Lebedev; Russian and American diplomats discuss a range of bilateral issues; US
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • According to reports, Russia and Italy, in their ministerial meeting held on August 6 and comprising of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and their Italian counterparts Defense Ministry Mario Mauro and Foreign Minister Emma Bonino, have discussed military and military-technical cooperation between the two countries and regional issues including developments in Afghanistan and Syria. 1

    Reports noted that the production of gas in Russia over the seven months of 2013 has decreased against the similar period in the previous year by 0.3% to 381.737 billion cubic meters. The share of oil and independent producers in gas production was almost 29 percent. 2

    The Russian Supreme Court has reduced the jail terms of former Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky and ex-MENATEP director Platon Lebedev to 10 years and 10 months as it looked into the legality of the second verdict against them. Thus, Khodorkovsky's term expires in August 2014 and Lebedev's - in May 2014. 3

    Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Rose Goettemuller, acting U.S. Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, have discussed missile defence, disarmament, and non-proliferation issues as part of a meeting held on August 5. 4

    According to reports, President Obama has cancelled his official visit to Moscow scheduled for September 2013. The US has cited a lack of progress in a range of different areas as the reason for the cancellation although the granting of asylum to whistleblower Snowden appears to be a major factor in the decision. However, President Obama will attend the G 20 summit to be held in St. Petersburg in September. 5

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called upon the Syrian government and opposition forces to join efforts to oust terrorists from the Syrian territory. 6

    Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has called for direct talks to settle the conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia. 7

    In other developments, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has said that strengthening ties with Vietnam is one of Russia’s foreign policy priorities. Russia considers Vietnam a strategic partner and an established and reliable friend. 8

    Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have discussed on August 9, the “escalating humanitarian crisis” and “the rise in sectarian violence” in Syria, the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and the situation in Afghanistan. 9

    Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has said that the Russian Defense Ministry and the Pentagon have discussed plans to expand the range of arms and services participating in joint exercises. He spoke in the backdrop of the “two-plus-two” format talks involving the two countries foreign and defence ministers held on August 10, 2013. The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2014 also came up for discussion. 10

    Top