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Russia positioned as key global trade player as major Europe-Asia trade routes develop

Russia’s focus on developing two major trade routes linking Europe and Asia may put the country “at the heart of much of international trade,” as Bloomberg put it.

The two routes in question are the International North-South Transport Corridor – a network of railways, roads and shipping lanes that links Europe and India via Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran – and the Northern Sea Route, which connects Europe and Asia via Russia’s Arctic waters.

Both of these transportation arteries bypass the Suez Canal and are thus unaffected by the current volatile security situation in the region, not to mention that using them could drastically reduce transit times and costs as compared to the Suez Canal route.

Though the United States and its allies in the West have so far refrained from using these trade routes, “major Asian and Gulf economies” have already displayed interest, the media outlet notes.

The use of these trade routes also helps Russia pivot from trading with the West to dealing with the booming Asian economies, thus further diminishing the effect of the already faltering Western sanctions.

Offler, I doubt that as BRICS will be a rival to the G7.

Back tracking by the west. No confiscating of Russian assets. Come the Summer Ukraine will be forced to negotiate by their backers.

❗️The G7 countries will keep Russian assets frozen until they achieve payment from Moscow for the damage caused to Ukraine during the military operation, according to their joint statement following the meeting in Washington.

And TC is making up stories again. You don't know what the current situation is. All we know is that the deal is still on.

I'm happy to wait for news from the BOD and have no need to post every 5 mins like the negheads!

US-UK sanctions against Russian metals to sting West and break dollar monopoly

The Anglo-American sanctions against Russian aluminum, copper, and nickel exports have already had a detrimental impact on Western economies and the dominance of the dollar, although its effect on the Russian economy remains to be seen.

The US Treasury Department on Friday slapped a ban on the import of Russian metals, resulting in the prohibition of trading Russian aluminum, copper, and nickel on the London Metal Exchange and Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

As a consequence, it is probable that the Shanghai Metals Market will receive increased supplies of Russian metals traded in Chinese yuan.

“There is always a way to work around sanctions. If something is desperately needed, people will find a way [to buy it],” explains Thomas Pauken, a consultant on Asia-Pacific affairs and author of a book on US-Chinese trade relations.

The very next day after the announcement of the Anglo-American restrictions against Russian metal exports, aluminum prices surged by 4.9% on the London Metal Exchange. When trading resumed on Monday, prices continued to climb by 5.44%, reaching levels seen prior to the sanctions. Additionally, nickel experienced an 8.8% increase.

This can make the sanctions against Russian metal industry useless, since the producers will compensate their losses from sanctions by the gains from higher prices.

“If the prices really skyrocket, then the sanctions never happened, they are a non-starter,” says Pauken.

He cites examples, when the anti-Russian sanctions helped the Chinese economy and led to the de-dollarization of trade between the two nations, stressing that such things happen “when a certain trade is not allowed, but still goes on.”

“I live in China, and my household electric bill is one-tenth of what Americans would have to pay. Russian energy supplies were very helpful for [the] Chinese economy.”

@geopolitics_live

Londongrad forever? Why the UK may never seize Russian assets

Pledges to take Russian money to help Ukraine face a litany of legal and tactical quandaries.

UK will never be able to confiscate Russian assets - Politico

▫️The reason is the lack of legal grounds for this, as well as the fear that this will negatively affect future peace negotiations and the sanctions regime.

▫️ “The UK cannot indiscriminately confiscate people's assets as that would make us a kleptocratic regime,” experts say.

Asset grab from a BRICS buyer is very unlikely!

On a positive note, metal price's are rising.

Same old nonsense from the negheads.

UK MP George Galloway:

When the US, UK and others quickly tried to assure me that it was only ISIS that committed this mass murder in Moscow, I automatically knew they were lying. And this is what I discovered.

First of all, I discovered that no one had explained President Barack Obama's unannounced visit to meet with British politicians and security officials in Downing Street three days before this terrorist crime was committed.

Researching even further, I discovered that Victoria Nuland, this harbinger of death, this angel of death who, if she comes near you, rest assured, civil war is coming to your country. I saw her with my own eyes, she promised the Russians some nasty surprises in the coming weeks and months.

I investigate further and find that White House Press Secretary John Kirby announced that American citizens have been warned to stay away from crowded places, including malls and theaters, in the great city of Moscow, the greatest city in Europe, the capital of the greatest country on Earth.

And here I have four pieces of evidence that lead me to believe that the United States, NATO allies and their puppet servant, the state of Ukraine, the stump state of Ukraine, are in fact responsible for this mass murder.

You don't spend 40k fighting for share's that have no future value.

It's on the telegram channel:

Eurasia mining daily digest

Yes

Even for the layman, it's obvious. Ukraine is loosing but the companionate western Governments want Ukraine to keep sacrificing untill the last Ukrainian.

France will propose a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict for the duration of the Olympic Games in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said, adding that Paris is ready to react if the conflict escalates, but will not initiate aggression.

"We will ask for it," Macron said in an interview with Ukrainian TV channels when asked if he would offer Russia a ceasefire for the duration of the Olympics. The Paris Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11.

He also said he was ready to discuss proposals to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I will pick up the phone [if Putin calls]. That is my responsibility and I will listen to what he proposes. France's role [in the Ukraine conflict] is to be the 'nerve of the war' ... On the one hand, it is necessary to transfer to Ukraine everything necessary to strengthen its defense capabilities, military equipment, but at the same time to promote de-escalation ... If Putin wants to offer something, I will listen to his proposal," the French president said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed in an interview with Dmitry Kiselev, director general of Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group, that he is ready for peace talks with Ukraine, but stressed that he trusts no one and will seek guarantees. He also recalled that the West had repeatedly made promises that were immediately broken.

Media: Western businessmen are waiting for a settlement in Ukraine

The West has stopped believing in Ukraine's victory and will attempt to make peace with Russia. The German publication Focus supports this conclusion with several signs:

▪️Ukraine is exhausted and can no longer resist. Russia has annexed 18% of its territory. Millions of Ukrainians have left the country. Kyiv has lost a significant part of its sovereignty as it depends on foreign aid.

▪️In the third year of the conflict, Russia remains economically viable. Moscow has overcome sanctions and found political and economic partners. The non-Western world is interested in undermining Western dominance.

▪️There has been a change in course in the US, which questions the possibility of "exporting democracy". Even the Democrats have lost their appetite for funding overseas wars. The fervent appeals of Joe Biden are not effective.

▪️Olaf Scholz does not want new risks for Germany. Poll data urge him to resist pressure from the "green" Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and some leaders of the CDU, who insist on maximum assistance to Ukraine. The SPD would like to position Scholz as a chancellor of peace.

▪️The Western business community wants to normalise relations with Russia again and is waiting for major deals to rebuild Ukraine. Investors, companies, and entire countries are already preparing for a project that, according to the European Investment Bank's estimates, could cost trillions of dollars in private and public funds.

Therefore, the triumph of the year will be Vladimir Putin, not Zelensky, concludes the publication.

The Russian economy is growing despite sanctions, writes Bloomberg. The agency noted that wages in the country are rising, and that poverty and unemployment are at “record lows.”

The Russian economy does not notice Western sanctions

Introducing sanctions, the West intended to crush the Russian economy, but it turned out that it only helped its development, writes Die Welt.

"Sanctions will destroy Russia", - assured in February 2022 the Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock.

Now the European Union has approved the 13th package of sanctions, and Russia is the country with the highest number of sanctions imposed on it.

However, the sanctions do not weaken the Russian economy, and the country's GDP is growing.

"We in the West hastened to declare that sanctions would bring Russia to its knees", - stated the German entrepreneur Oliver Kempkens, who regularly visits Moscow.

According to Kempkens, the consequences of the sanctions are felt by Russians only indirectly. Chinese cars are increasingly seen on the roads instead of Western ones, and some consumer goods have become harder to obtain.

"But even if something is lacking, it is easily acquired by other means. Many here say: 'Look at your tough sanctions - Moscow is thriving'", - the businessman said.

The EU also imposes sanctions against third countries in order to cut off their supplies to Russia, but even these restrictions do not work.

It is difficult to track the logistical routes of sanctioned goods due to global supply chains and opaque legislation.

In addition, low external debt, a high key rate, self-sufficient food supply, and a number of other factors will allow Moscow to develop its military economy for many years, despite any sanctions.

"We cannot provide continuous assistance to Ukraine without significantly impacting our military readiness." - Sullivan

Putin open to Ukraine peace talks, but what are his terms?

Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed in an interview with Dmitry Kiselev, director general of Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group, that he is ready for peace talks with Ukraine, but stressed that he trusts no one and will seek guarantees.

Russian political scientist Dmitry Evstafiev explained to Sputnik, Putin’s key reservations for any possible negotiations about Ukraine.

- In no way will the so-called “Zelensky formula” be discussed. Putin clarified that the Kiev regime’s proposals are not on the table;

- To achieve lasting peace, it is crucial to ensure that the talks do not simply result in a tactical pause that enables Kiev to rearm. The analyst stressed that the negotiations must be based on “the West’s decision not to supply weapons to Ukraine.”

- A public format and binding obligations are needed. Putin laid out very clearly that Russia needs guarantees, Dmitry Evstafiev stressed.

The political scientist explained that the guarantees Russia requires “can only be given by responsible political figures representing stable Western governments, and must be offered in the form of absolutely binding, signed documents”.

News of another court case found in favour of KK/EUA , courtesy of 'P' -

Defended the client’s interests in the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in the framework of another dispute regarding the mineral extraction tax in the extraction of gold-containing concentrates

The tax practice team of Pepeliaev Group successfully defended the interests of Kosvinsky Kamen CJSC in the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation as part of another dispute about taxation in the extraction of concentrates and other semi-products containing gold, platinum and other precious metals.

On March 1, the SKES of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation considered case No. A60-43970/2022 and made a decision in favor of the taxpayer, overturning the decisions of the arbitration courts.

The essence of this case is generally similar to case No. A60-42662//2022 , which the board considered in December 2023. We are also talking about an unfounded multiple increase in the tax burden on mineral extraction tax for the extraction of gold-platinum concentrate, which in many cases makes production unprofitable (you can read more here ).

Both of these cases, from the stage of the first cassation (consideration in the district court), were conducted by specialists from the tax practice of Pepeliaev Group.