Member Info for Mjd2020

Afternoon all. What a crappy outcome for WK – losing 95% of value that EUA has created at WK. Regardless of WK’s value in the context of the group, that’s a kick in the balls for a company that’s operated there for years, paid staff, invested in infrastructure, done the exploration. Terrible advert for investing in Russia but that’s the risk we take.

Still, onwards and upwards 🤷‍♂️

What’s the deal with this:

“ Monchetundra detailed design is expected to be approved by all relevant authorities this year, allowing mine development and construction to commence under the EPCF contract with Sinosteel.”

So is this happening today or tomorrow or do I need to go back to school and learn what “this year” means?

5 hours of talks today in Berlin today between Zelensky, the rest of his team and the US. More talks tomorrow.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2025/12/14/8011817/

Section from the Indian release following the visit. Would be interesting to know what miming projects are being considered and whether anything actually happens in the short term.

Cooperation in the Russian Far East and Arctic

The two Sides confirmed their readiness to intensify trade and investment cooperation in the Far East and the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The Program of India-Russia Cooperation in Trade, Economic and Investment Spheres in the Russian Far East for the period from 2024-2029 provides the necessary framework for further cooperation between India and the Russian Far East region, especially in the sectors of agriculture, energy, mining, manpower, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, maritime transport, etc.

Both Sides underscored the importance of holding regular bilateral consultations on Arctic related issues and welcomed the progress made in multi-faceted bilateral cooperation on the Northern Sea Route. The Russian Side appreciated the participation of the Indian delegation in the 6th International Arctic Forum held in Murmansk in March 2025. The Indian Side expressed its readiness to play an active role as an Observer in the Arctic Council.

https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/joint-statement-following-the-23rd-india-russia-annual-summit/

From Putin's visit...

“Russia and India want to deepen cooperation in the field of critical minerals”

Moscow. December 5. INTERFAX.RU - Russia and India want to deepen cooperation in the field of rare earth elements (REE) and critical minerals.

"Recognizing the strategic importance of critical minerals for new technologies and advanced manufacturing, the parties expressed interest in deepening cooperation in the exploration, processing, and refining of critical minerals and rare earth elements," reads a joint statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adopted following the Russia-India summit.

https://www.interfax.ru/business/1061627

Critical minerals as defined by India include PGE, Nickel, Copper amongst others. This is from September “Both public sector enterprises and private players are encouraged to acquire assets by securing stakes in critical mineral projects abroad, strengthening India’s global footprint”

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=155158&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=2

I’m not claiming any link to EUA but this can’t be bad if India is progressing some work with Russia in our sector.

Putin’s off to India to discuss various topics including mining.

https://www.afaqs.com/companies/india-today-to-host-moscow-roundtable-ahead-of-vladimir-putins-india-visit-10867439

Not sure in what context but shows some activity at least.

Possibly moved to the “Astan-Argh South East” chat board after the Kaz listing.

300% more trades on AIX today (3 trades) CS must feel like he’s John ‘Hannibal” Smith

Looks like Witkoff's visit may be next week:

In Russia

09:17, November 26, 2025

The Kremlin announced a preliminary agreement for Wittkoff to visit Moscow next week.

Moscow. November 26. INTERFAX.RU - A preliminary agreement has been reached for US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff to visit Moscow next week, said Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov.

"As for Whitkoff, I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that he will come to Moscow next week," Ushakov said in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin for the program "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin," which airs on the Rossiya-1 television channel (VGTRK).

The journalist posted the excerpt on his Telegram channel .

According to Ushakov, Whitkoff and "a number of other administration representatives who are involved in Ukrainian affairs" will be attending.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that Whitkoff would visit Russia to discuss a settlement in Ukraine.

"Steve Witkoff will be going. Jared (Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner - IF) might be with him , but I'm not sure. I think they'll be in Moscow next week to meet with President Putin," he told reporters aboard his plane.

https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1059908

1 x trade on AIX as well. 💪 🚀 🥳🕺🇰🇿

There's a lot of news popping up one way or another. This one is optimastic but I'll believe it when it happens...

https://www.interfax.ru/world/1059833

Not sure if next week is too soon other than agreement on a framework but consultations seem to be underway. Hopefully this can lead to something both sides can agree to.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/11/22/8008518/

Hopefully there will be somrthing workable coming from this...

In the world

06:04, November 19, 2025

Axios reports that the United States and Russia are working on a new plan for a Ukrainian settlement.

There is an update from 07:09 →

A delegation of high-ranking Pentagon officials arrived in Kyiv.

Axios reports that the United States and Russia are working on a new plan for a Ukrainian settlement.

The administration of US President Donald Trump is secretly consulting with Russia to develop a new plan to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, Axios reports , citing official US and Russian representatives.

According to the portal's sources, the plan consists of 28 points across four main components: peace in Ukraine, security guarantees, security in Europe, and Washington's future relations with Moscow and Kyiv.

A US official told the publication that Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who is leading the plan's development, discussed it in detail with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president's special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, during his visit to Miami in late October.

In turn, Dmitriev, in a conversation with Axios, expressed optimism about the deal’s chances of success.

In his opinion, unlike previous attempts, this time “we feel that Russia’s position has truly been heard.”

The publication notes that Whitkoff was supposed to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday in Turkey, but postponed his trip.

A Ukrainian source confirmed to Axios that Witkoff discussed the new plan with Ukrainian National Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov at a meeting in Miami earlier this week.

According to the American official, the White House, in addition to Ukrainians, has also begun informing European representatives about the new plan.

"We believe now is the right time to implement this plan. But both sides must be practical and realistic," the American source said.

https://www.interfax.ru/world/1058730

At least shows signs of cooperation… Mishustin in China today:

“It is expected that during Mishustin's contacts in China, topical issues of strengthening Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation will be considered. Priority will be given to deepening trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, promoting joint projects in energy, industry, agriculture, education and other spheres.”

https://www.interfax.ru/world/1056157

“He said that special attention is paid to the expansion of investment cooperation. "On December 1, we will have an intergovernmental agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of investment, which was signed during the Russian-Chinese summit on May 8 in Moscow, it will stimulate the creation of new joint ventures with the participation of Russian and Chinese investors on the basis of mutual benefit and taking into account each other's interests," the Russian Prime Minister said.

Mishustin noted the interaction between Russia and China in other spheres. According to him, cooperation in the field of energy has acquired a strategic character, it covers oil, gas, coal, nuclear components. New joint productions and technological alliances are being created in the industry. In the field of transport, the volume of cargo transportation has increased and cross-border infrastructure is developing, new routes for air traffic are being opened. Cooperation in agriculture strengthens the food security of both countries.”

https://www.interfax.ru/world/1056161

Below article from today is primarily about agribusiness but this last bit could be interesting…

https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1055980

"In addition, together with colleagues from RDIF, work was carried out on the creation of an atlas of Russian-Chinese investment cooperation - a guide for Chinese investors on the investment conditions of Russia and its regions, as well as existing measures to support the implementation of investment initiatives. The Atlas is at the final stage of preparation," Ilyichev also said.

"During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state of Russian-Chinese investment cooperation, as well as its promising directions. Significant progress has been noted in the development of cooperation in non-energy industries, including mining, industry, infrastructure, agriculture, automotive and medicine. The lists of the commission have been replenished with new projects in the fields of metallurgy, chemical and medical industry, as well as logistics," the Ministry of Economic Development noted.

FWIW, here’s the two days ref.

IN THE WORLD 02:03, october 22, 2025

Trump expects more clarity regarding the meeting with Putin in two days

Moscow. October 22. INTERFAX.RU - U.S. President Donald Trump said that later this week it will be better to understand what the prospects of organizing a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin are.

"In two days we will be told what we will do," Trump told reporters in the White House.

He noted that "a lot of things are happening" in the issue of Ukrainian settlement.

The American leader also stressed that in the event of a summit, the United States and the Russian Federation aims to ensure that the meeting allows real steps forward to be taken.

At the same time, answering questions, he assured that he did not believe that such negotiations would be a waste of time.

"I didn't say that," Trump said.

The American leader also said that, in his opinion, both parties to the conflict want peace. "(Russian President Vladimir - IF) Putin wants it to end, and (President of Ukraine Vladimir - IF) Zelensky wants it too. So I think it will be over," he told reporters at the White House, talking about whether he believes in the possibility of resolving the crisis.

https://www.interfax.ru/world/1053914

If there’s not at least 3 trades on AIX tomorrow then I’ll eat my hat 🍽️🎩🇰🇿

Talks still ongoing apparently….

IN RUSSIA 13:04, october 12, 2025

Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation reported on ongoing contacts with the United States

Moscow. October 12. INTERFAX.RU - Contacts between the Russian Federation and the United States via closed channels continue, they may be invisible, but sooner or later they will be noticeable, said Yuri Ushakov, assistant to the Russian head of state.

"They (contacts between the Russian Federation and the USA - IF) continue. We are constantly talking, doing some things, they may be invisible, but sooner or later they will be noticeable. The work is underway," the assistant head of state said in an interview with the author and host of the program "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" of the TV channel "Russia-1" (VGTRK) to Pavel Zarubin, a fragment of which he posted in his Telegram channel.

"If we talk about the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, the guiding star is the agreements reached by the two presidents in Anchorage," Ushakov explained.

According to him, "to promote these agreements, we need to fight, we need to convince people". "So far, not everyone is very convinced. But the fact that this is the basis of possible regulation is for sure," the presidential aide emphasized.

https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1052200

Weird story to run but the media is tightly controlled maybe they are starting to condition the Russians to accept that objectives have been met? Probably need to see more stories that this to have any meaning but it caught my eye nonetheless.

Political scientist Mirsheimer: Putin's smile on "Valdai" indicates the imminent end of the conflict

The professor of the University of Chicago noted that Ukraine has big problems, and Russia feels pretty good

NEW YORK, October 11. /TASS/. Professor of the University of Chicago John Mirsheimer believes that the smile and words of Russian President Vladimir Putin during his speech at the session of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi indicate the imminent end of the conflict in Ukraine.

"Ukraine has big problems, and Russia feels pretty good. All you need to do is look at the smile on Putin's face on the recent "Valdai" . He understands that the Russians are in control of the situation . It is quite obvious that he understands that Ukraine has problems," Mirsheimer said on the air of the podcast The Greater Eurasia on the YouTube channel of Norwegian political scientist Glenn Disen. According to the American professor, both Russian and Ukrainian front-line reports indicate the "despecy of the situation" for Kiev.

Mirsheimer also reproached the Ukrainian regime for the lack of foresight, because if "Ukrainians were smart enough, they would have concluded an agreement [with Russia] a long time ago and would have been in a much better position". Ukraine would not have achieved good conditions for itself, the expert believes, because "there is no good deal. The question for Ukraine is what the least bad deal looks like". The best way out, Mirsheimer believes, would be to stop hostilities and make concessions to Russia. "In fact, the war is lost, and when you lose the war, you have to make huge concessions to the winner," he summed up. 

https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/25318365

No idea what this will be about….

28 SEP, 13:11

Putin to deliver major speech this week — Peskov

The president will also have many working meetings and international contacts, noted Kremlin Spokesman

MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. A major speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin is planned for the upcoming week, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a comment to VGTRK journalist Pavel Zarubin.

"The President will deliver a fairly major speech next week. We will announce what it will be about, as well as exactly when and where. But the week will be interesting," he said.

Peskov added that the Russian leader will also have numerous working meetings at the Kremlin during the week, as well as international engagements.

https://tass.com/politics/2022475

Russia is considering raising VAT to 22% - mainly to fund security and defence https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1048900