Emerging Market oil analyst, economist, incogneto celebrity, now on twitter, (well, it is the only place i can find out when the local bank holidays happen)
In today’s Russian newspapers: Russian man threatened with prosecution over plans to recite Pushkin’s poetry in the park. Plus, for Russia, the “risk of long-term dependency [on China].” #ReadingRussia
The post-Soviet space leading the agenda of Putin's first fifth-term Security Council meeting sounds rather ominous for the South Caucasus and Central Asia
@sihooofficial Wow, X now trying to market me the latest sanctions-friendly home version of Russia's famed S300 air-defence system! But I wonder if it leans too far in terms of comfort vs anti-air capabilities?
"Every year on April 24, we mark the 1915 Armenian genocide.
"This year, we should also reflect on the present day, for Armenians are again facing a new set of atrocities as the world watches on with indifference."
📝 @mrtommybecker https://t.co/XcPzUBJX4w
@HenryJFoy@leahyjoseph@YuanfenYang I would have thought this climb down inevitable. Less about the Baltics and more that such views would seem to directly contradict comments made by President Xi late last year about (post-Soviet) Central Asia.
@FT Inevitable China will have to put some distance with these comments. They are directly in opposition to the comments of President Xi late last year regarding the inviolate statehood of places in (former Soviet) Central Asia last year.
@edentravels Worth mentioning that Fly Arystan will start flying in Yerevan from May - making it a bit easier to get between the country and Central Asia.
I've watched a lot of Putin speeches over the last 10-15 years and this is the most anti-US one by a really long way.
If I were a western policymaker wondering if he'd really use nuclear weapons – and he hasn't even got to them yet – I'd be very concerned.
@maxseddon It was quite jarring hearing those songs in that context - right before they all lined up for the national anthem. Putin getting quite emotional!
Amazing clip of Kadirov sending chechen soldiers to Ukraine. Still unsure how claiming to save Ukraine by sending in chechen units likely to play in Russia. https://t.co/OWmnRchgou
Another video from Grozny, Chechnya sent to me by local source today. Thousands of additional Chechen government forces being deployed to Ukraine as part of Russia's occupation force.
Kazakhstan's president Tokayev is addressing the nation on television, says he will stay in the country come what may, he is taking over national security council, formerly headed by ex-President Nazarbayev