Member Info for DShox

Ok another splurge up. There's a heading Romanian gas producer as the RTO target. Is this rumour grounded in some comment somewhere?

Germany's Merz now states Ukraine will need to cede territory for peace. Initially to open way for a ceasefire and then final treaty. He rules out EU membership, stating Zelensky needs to sell it as "opening the door to Europe." Finally someone essentially at the head of EU power, noting its the German EPP that dominates the EU Parliament, is telling the expiring dictator to face reality.

From where does this rumour arise?

These RTO plays are high risk / reward. We had shocking management previously so hopefully the current group can deliver.

Years of worse than paint drying. Some proper volume and movement. Might get a few pence back.

Doesn't matter SpikeyJub. You just stay right there in your lane. There's a good jub.

BlackRock and other big US banks have recently announced abandonment of the traditional 60/40 portfolio in favour of commodities. I note a few mentions of BlackRock buying EUA again.

Agree earlier post. Advancing and no negatives. Note just a few days after Bessent said there'll be no extension of Russian oil approvals, he's out sponging his words and extending sanctions waivers. Not that anyone cares anymore. India is now buying Russian LNG directly from Gazprom LNG terminals - shipment en route to Petronet Dahej Terminal - and Malaysian PM is in negotiations for Russian oil. Japan is trying to send a delegation to Moscow, which Putin has refused until Tokyo lifts sanctions. Malaysian PM states many other countries are negotiating with Moscow for energy. Unfortunately, fully expect the Iran war to resume tomorrow, which could see the Houthis close Red Sea exports. The energy crisis will worsen therefore.

Moscow brought an international arbitration claim against the EU for indefinitely freezing Russian assets to enable the €90bn loan. Hungary isn't blocking the vote, but will not participate in guarantees. The claim was made public after Magyar's win. He also opposes Ukraine's EU fast track accession. No international investor will buy a war bond issued by the European Commission in the knowledge the collateral is illegally secured against third party assets and subject to a claim. Zelensky's existence depends on paying his apparatchik. Without money, and lots of it, Ukraine faces hyperinflation.

Optimism returned. Good to see.

No Boldy. Trump and Vance.

CIA cutout and Ukraine's lead negotiator Budanov, Zelensky rival: “They all understand the war needs to end. I don’t think it will be long.” This as at least some top US officials express increasing loathing of Zelensky.

Why would it be done by now exactly?

Certainly is UK based but that's not immovable and neither is the listing. Some entities may be forced to sell, but I've held a stock that shifted from AIM to TSX-V in the past and still be able to trade on iii.

Where i differ is the need to bring Zelensky onboard. That's not evidenced in US exits from other conflicts - Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea for example. In each case, deals done over its proxy's head directly with the adversary. In the case of the former two, the proxy continued fighting until complete military defeat. US acts only in its own interests. Trilateral talks appear shelved, which the US attended simply to make sure the Ukrainians turned up. Most importantly, bilateral talks between US/Russia appear to continue.

Slightly off topic, but investment in an air fryer might be a good idea.

If EUA activates EPCF with Sinosteel, then its tied to paying Sinosteel back by design, perhaps accompanied by an offtake. Perhaps it wouldn't rule out US investment entirely if there was some later deal on the Arctic, but the options would logically narrow. At the minute, its the exit tax and penalty regime holding back the sale if I read the RNSs correctly. I've always thought, could EUA sell to a private equity firm in a third country with good relations with Moscow, which in turn develops, lists or flips the project?

For what's its worth, until such time as a special tax regime is agreed for Arctic investments, the only sensible path here is to activate the Sinosteel EPCF. That'll increase the value of Kola assets further. That said, management might be waiting to see if an option opens with the US. On the mess of the Iran war, geopolitically it's thrown all the balls in the air including the ramifications for investments anywhere and everywhere. It could also lead to unexpected and more rapid agreements between the US and Russia, and in particular Japan/SK with Russia for energy. Moscow will be certain to drive a hard bargain and long term co-operation in exchange.

In this geopolitical mess and the "unpredictability" of the US, which absolutely doesn't consult or care much for the interests of Europe or the views of UK/EU leaders, there's increased chances of a deal between the US and Russia. The penny has even dropped in Europe with Belgian PM breaking ranks and calling for normalisation with Russia to access cheap energy. Even in the UK, one of the most propagandised countries regarding Russia, the fast rising Greens are calling for better relations. You'll have the Trump administration acutely aware the Europeans are changing tune, so some competitive tension generates. Trump of course has no time for Zelensky, who he now increasingly blames for depleting US arsenals for the Iran conflict. And on this, Putin has the ear of Iran and received calls from Trump and all leaders of the Gulf. Putin has the potential to dig Trump out of the Iran crisis, but he will not rush.

Politically it shows the US shrugging off Merz, Macron and Merz's phone calls. Witkoff, Kushner and Greenbaum met Dmitriev and others, and agreed the waiver. Asian buyers are also striking deals for Russian oil.