Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Russia is focusing on artificial intelligence as a key area of international collaboration, with President Vladimir Putin highlighting plans for enhanced AI cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), of which Pakistan is a member. According to a statement shared by Russia News on X on Thursday, Putin stated: &ldquo;Russia will strengthen international cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence with its partners, including within BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1991207275625939154&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=8e89c49013efbcf647cee602d8c42d1116ef4f49&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 754px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&ldquo;We have instructed the Cabinet of Ministers and the Presidential Administration to work on establishing a headquarters to manage all AI-related activities in Russia.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;regional governors have been tasked with developing a national plan for the implementation of generative AI across the country,&rdquo; adding, &ldquo;By March 2026, the relevant authorities must provide comprehensive information on the use of AI in the economy.&rdquo; Putin said, &ldquo;There are areas in which we can rely entirely on our own AI developments, including the work of intelligence agencies.&rdquo; &ldquo;The stability and independence of the national digital infrastructure must be ensured.&rdquo; &ldquo;A total of 38 nuclear power units are scheduled to be launched in Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East. Russia also plans to transition to mass production of small nuclear power plants,&rdquo; the post says. &ldquo;The stability and independence of the national digital infrastructure must be guaranteed,&rdquo; Putin said, according to the post. &lsquo;More influential SCO&rsquo;According to a post shared by Sputnik, earlier on Tuesday, the Russian president, during a meeting with delegation leaders from the SCO Council of Heads of Government, stated: &ldquo;We all have one common goal, that is to enhance the prominence and influence of the SCO as one of the major and largest regional groupings in the world and in the region.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1990798399554400366&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=8e89c49013efbcf647cee602d8c42d1116ef4f49&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div> Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-russia-vow-stronger-multilateral-coordination-at-un-sco-forums" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">recently</a> met his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepen coordination at major multilateral platforms, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.</div>

Asia

Russian president says, ‘We all have one common goal, that is to enhance the prominence and influence of the SCO as one of the major and largest regional groupings in the world and in the region.’

Putin aims for AI leadership, eyes regional cooperation through SCO

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Dr Roxolana Zigon, director of Center of International and Strategic Research Moscow, has expressed the hope that Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Moscow becomes the gateway to new initiatives and fresh dialogues between Russia and Pakistan with regards to connectivity, trade, investments, technological exchange, enhancements and more. Talking exclusively to Pakistan TV, Dr Roxolana Zigon said Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was received by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and both leaders discussed new frameworks and avenues for development of relations between Russia and Pakistan.&nbsp; She said ties between the two countries were clearly entering a new chapter and new beginning. The Russian expert said during the last SCO summit held in China, it was announced that Pakistan will host the next SCO Summit.&nbsp; &ldquo;Therefore, we should expect new steps and further promotion of the dialogue,&rdquo; Dr Roxolana Zigon said.

SAT News Desk

Russian analyst Dr. Roxolana Zigon says the SCO Summit in Moscow could boost Russia-Pakistan ties, noting high-level meetings, growing cooperation, and expectations for further dialogue as Pakistan prepares to host the next summit.

Russian expert hopes SCO summit serves as gateway to new initiatives between Islamabad and Moscow

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said on Monday that Pakistan is in regular contact with the Russian government as Moscow had offered to mediate between Islamabad and Kabul&rsquo;s Afghan Taliban regime.&nbsp;The Pakistani envoy expressed these views in an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV from Moscow, where he spoke about the upcoming SCO summit and member states&rsquo; reaction to the Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s continued harbouring of terrorist organisations on its soil.<figure class="fr-media" style="line-height: 2;"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/d1bf899d-d80c-4ed3-a688-5b3d0f37b6a5-WhatsApp Image 2025-11-17 at 20.54.06.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2025-11-17 at 20.54.06.jpeg" class="fr-fil fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic" style="text-align: left;">Pakistan&rsquo;s ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, speaks exclusively to Pakistan TV about the SCO Summit and issues related to the Afghan Taliban on November 17, 2025.</figcaption> Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban reached a ceasefire in Doha on Oct. 19, but tensions remain high between the neighbours after two subsequent rounds of talks to devise a mechanism against terrorist organizations using Afghan soil remained inconclusive in Istanbul due to the inconsistent position of the Taliban delegation. Pakistan remains consistent on its basic demand that the Afghan Taliban regime take clear and verifiable actions against militant groups operating from Afghan soil.&nbsp; &ldquo;Russia has offered to mediate between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime,&rdquo; Ambassador Tirmizi told Pakistan TV. &ldquo;Russia has been kind enough to offer its assistance, and we are already in regular contact with the Russian government [regarding this] as well,&rdquo; he added. Last month, the ambassador said Pakistan attended a talk on Afghanistan in Moscow where Russians were trying to tell the Afghan Taliban that they should be a factor of stability and connectivity in the region rather than a factor of instability.&nbsp; &ldquo;That is the whole endeavor on the part of Pakistan as well as Russia to convince the Taliban regime whether they want to be part of the Eurasian dream under SCO,&rdquo; he continued. &ldquo;Then they have to ensure that their soil is not used against any territory, any country or against any religion, be it Pakistan, Central Asia or Russia.&rdquo; Tirmizi said the SCO-member states consider it fundamental to persuade the Afghan Taliban regime to review its policies if wanted to be accepted as a credible partner in the international arena. &ldquo;Their soil should not be used to destabilise other countries of the world,&rdquo; he added. The Pakistani envoy said Russia understands that without peace in Afghanistan there cannot be any meaningful exchanges in all SCO states.&nbsp; &ldquo;Because Afghanistan is the linchpin which connects South Asia to Central Asia and Eurasian landmass,&rdquo; he added.</figure>

Pakistan’s envoy in Moscow says Russia offered to mediate between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban as tensions persist. SCO states urge Taliban to curb militant groups and ensure Afghan soil isn’t used for regional instability

Pakistan in regular contact with Russia as Moscow offered to mediate with Afghan Taliban: envoy

ISLAMABAD: Russia has urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their differences through political and diplomatic means, offering to assist both sides as negotiations between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban leadership remain stalled.&nbsp;In a November 14 briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow stands ready to help ease tensions if approached by the parties. &ldquo;We call on Kabul and Islamabad to resolve any disagreements exclusively through political and diplomatic means and by peaceful methods,&rdquo; she said, as quoted by Russian News Agency TASS.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Russian Federation is always ready to contribute to promoting peace if it is requested by the conflicting parties. We have such experience, and we are ready for it.&rdquo;&nbsp;Zakharova noted that continued friction between Pakistan and Afghanistan &ldquo;remains a matter of concern not only for Russia but&hellip; for the entire international community,&rdquo; adding that &ldquo;Russia stands in solidarity with its partners.&rdquo;&nbsp;Her remarks follow the conclusion of Pakistan&rsquo;s recent round of talks with the Afghan Taliban in Istanbul, where discussions ended without a breakthrough. Pakistan&rsquo;s delegation departed the city after the Afghan side declined to commit to measures Islamabad considers essential for curbing cross-border militant activity.&nbsp;Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan appreciates the mediation roles of T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar but stressed that Kabul must fulfill its counterterrorism obligations.&nbsp;&ldquo;Onus lies on Afghanistan to fulfill its long-standing international, regional and bilateral pledges regarding control of terrorism, in which so far they have failed,&rdquo; he said in a statement.&nbsp;He reiterated that Pakistan&rsquo;s concerns relate specifically to armed groups operating from Afghan soil and conducting attacks on Pakistani forces and civilians.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan does not harbor any ill-will against the Afghan people&hellip; However, [Pakistan] shall never support the Afghan Taliban regime&rsquo;s measures that are detrimental to the interest of the Afghan people as well as neighboring countries.&rdquo;&nbsp;Tarar said Islamabad has engaged in multiple negotiation rounds, including earlier talks in Doha, in an effort to establish a verifiable and enforceable security mechanism along the border.&nbsp;However, he said the Afghan delegation did not agree to steps that would ensure actionable restraint on militant networks.&nbsp;With the talks stalled, the minister emphasized that Pakistan will maintain its diplomatic efforts while prioritizing national security. &ldquo;Pakistan shall continue to exercise all options necessary to safeguard the security of its people and its sovereignty,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Russia also referenced the broader dialogue process earlier this week.&nbsp;In a November 12 phone call initiated by Tehran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi &ldquo;praised Kabul and Islamabad for reaching an agreement&hellip; to enact a ceasefire and put an end to firing incidents along the border,&rdquo; while calling for continued dialogue to uphold regional stability and security.

Europe

Moscow says it stands ready to help ease tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, urging the resolution of disputes through diplomacy after recent Istanbul talks ended without progress on counterterrorism assurances.

Russia urges calm, offers support as Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions persist

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia have exchanged views on the current security situation in the Asia-Pacific region and related matters. The two countries held the inaugural session of the bilateral consultations on &ldquo;Security Issues in Asia&rdquo; on Thursday, in Islamabad, said a press release issued by Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Office of the Spokesperson) on Friday. These consultations took place between Aleksei Ovchinnikov, Director General for Asia and Pacific Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, Additional Foreign Secretary (Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security) and Spokesperson, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad. Potential areas of collaboration&nbsp;The two sides exchanged views on the current security situation in the Asia-Pacific region and related matters, including potential areas of collaboration, cooperation. They also discussed challenges associated with various regional alliances and partnerships. Both sides agreed to hold this dialogue on an annual basis. During his visit to Islamabad, Ovchinnikov also called on Ambassador Imran Siddiqui, Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia-Pacific), at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General, at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad. Pakistan and the Russian Federation enjoy a cooperative bilateral relationship, the press release said. Pakistan greatly values dialogue and diplomacy and remains committed to pursuing cooperative pathways that promote peace and stability in the region and beyond, the Foreign Ministry&rsquo;s statement said.

Foreign Affairs

Inaugural session of bilateral consultations on “Security Issues in Asia” held on Thursday; the two sides discussed challenges associated with various regional alliances and partnerships; agree to hold dialogue on an annual basis. 

Pakistan, Russia explore Asia-Pacific security collaboration in consultations

ISLAMABAD: Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, reaffirmed Russia&rsquo;s commitment to a multipolar world order and described Pakistan as a major and promising partner in South Asia. He said Moscow stands firmly for equality among nations and the principles of the United Nations Charter, rejecting the dominance of any single power bloc. Speaking to Pakistan TV, Kosachev said the unipolar world system has failed to resolve conflicts fairly and that Russia supports a return to &ldquo;true international law&rdquo; and multilateral cooperation. He praised Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts in promoting inter-parliamentary diplomacy, calling such initiatives vital for global peace and understanding. &ldquo;Russia values its relations with Pakistan and views it as a key partner in promoting stability, trade, and regional development,&rdquo; he said. Kosachev noted that while trade volumes have slightly declined due to Pakistan&rsquo;s strong grain harvest this year, bilateral cooperation remains stable and forward-looking. He also confirmed that the Russia-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation will meet in Islamabad later this month to strengthen long-term economic ties. &ldquo;Russia and Pakistan can confidently call themselves reliable partners, working together for peace and prosperity in South Asia,&rdquo; he concluded.

Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to a multipolar world order and described Pakistan as a major and promising partner in South Asia

Russia Supports Multipolar World, Sees Pakistan as a Key Regional Partner: Deputy Speaker Kosachev

KYIV: A Russian strike on a children&#39;s hospital in southern Ukraine wounded at least nine people, including four children, authorities said Wednesday, while President Volodymyr Zelensky called it a &quot;deliberate&quot; attack that shows Moscow does not want peace.&nbsp;The strike in Kherson blasted out windows and left bloodstains on the floor of treatment rooms, with debris strewn across stretchers and medical equipment, footage published by Ukrainian officials showed.&nbsp;Russia has hit several hospitals and medical facilities during its invasion, drawing accusations of war crimes, though Moscow says it only targets military sites.&nbsp;&quot;They could not have been unaware of where they were striking. This was a deliberate Russian attack specifically against children, against medical personnel, against basic guarantees of life in the community,&quot; Zelensky said.&nbsp;Ukraine&#39;s ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said nine people were wounded. The youngest was aged eight, Zelensky said.&nbsp;Around 100 people were inside the hospital at the time of the attack, Zelensky added.&nbsp;Russia was &quot;not only dragging out its terrorist war but also trying to do everything possible to ensure that no opportunity to end the war succeeds,&quot; he said.&nbsp;Moscow has not commented on the strike.

A Russian strike hit a children’s hospital in Kherson, Ukraine, wounding nine people, including four kids. President Zelensky called it a deliberate attack, showing Russia doesn’t want peace. 


Ukraine slams Russian attack on children's hospital

NEW DELHI: India&#39;s state-owned aeronautics firm said Tuesday it had signed a deal with a Russian aircraft manufacturer under US and European sanctions, a move likely to irk New Delhi&#39;s Western allies.&nbsp;Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced the deal with United Aircraft Corporation to manufacture civil passenger aircraft in India for the first time.&nbsp;India&#39;s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a post on X, hailed &quot;a landmark step for the Indian civil aviation sector&quot; that will create jobs and boost self-reliance.&nbsp;The United States and some other Western partners have previously criticised India&#39;s policy towards Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, demanding that Delhi comply with their sanctions against Moscow.&nbsp;India in turn has said it does not subscribe to unilateral sanction measures.&nbsp;According to the aircraft deal inked in Moscow, HAL will partner with the Russian United Aircraft Corporation to produce SJ-100 twin-engine, narrow-body planes for domestic customers.&nbsp;HAL said in a social media post that it would be &quot;the first instance wherein a complete passenger aircraft will be produced in India&quot;.&nbsp;Both HAL and Singh called it a &quot;game-changer for short-haul connectivity&quot;.&nbsp;The deal highlights Delhi&#39;s continued defence and energy ties with Moscow, despite mounting scrutiny over its oil purchases from Russia.&nbsp;In August, US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian exports to 50 percent, with Washington accusing India of fuelling Russia&#39;s war in Ukraine.&nbsp;Trump recently claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to reduce Russian oil imports as part of a potential trade agreement, but there was no confirmation from Delhi.

India

The aircraft deal inked in Moscow, HAL will partner with the Russian United Aircraft Corporation to produce SJ-100 twin-engine, narrow-body planes for domestic customers

India signs aircraft deal with sanctioned Russian firm

PARIS: The International Ski Federation (FIS) announced on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes in its disciplines will not be able to qualify for next year&#39;s Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.&nbsp;Competitors in skiing and snowboarding from the two countries have been banned from FIS events since Moscow&#39;s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but they had hoped to participate under a neutral banner in the Games, which run from February 6-22, 2026.&nbsp;&quot;The FIS Council convened this Tuesday and voted not to facilitate the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) in FIS qualification events for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Games,&quot; FIS said.&nbsp;During the 2022 Games in Beijing, Russia won almost a third of all cross-country skiing medals, although they picked up none in alpine skiing.&nbsp;&quot;I think it&#39;s the right decision,&quot; Norway&#39;s individual sprint Olympic champion Johannes Klaebo told television channel NRK.&nbsp;&quot;I&#39;ve thought for a while that Russians should not be allowed to compete as long as the war in Ukraine continues,&quot; the 28-year-old added.&nbsp;FIS followed in the footsteps of the moves from the governing bodies of biathlon and luge, although ice skating authorities have decided to allow athletes from the two nations to attempt to qualify.&nbsp;When it comes to the Paralympics, held on March 6-15, the FIS has decided not to follow the International Paralympic Committee&#39;s move to lift the partial suspension of Russia and Belarus.&nbsp;The FIS runs three out of the 10 disciplines at the Winter Paralympics.

Athletics

The International Ski Federation barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, continuing bans from FIS events since 2022, citing the ongoing Ukraine conflict.


Ski body blocks Russian, Belarusian athletes from 2026 Winter Olympics

BRUSSELS: EU countries on Monday agreed to phase out their remaining gas imports from Russia by the end of 2027, breaking a dependency the bloc has struggled to end despite Moscow&#39;s war on Ukraine. Energy ministers meeting in Luxembourg approved a plan by the European Commission to phase out both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Russia, subject to approval by the bloc&#39;s parliament. Lars Aagaard, energy minister of Denmark, which holds the European Union&#39;s rotating presidency, called it a &quot;crucial&quot; step to make Europe energy independent. The plan is part of a broader EU strategy to wean the bloc off Russian energy supplies. &quot;Although we have worked hard and pushed to get Russian gas and oil out of Europe in recent years, we are not there yet,&quot; Aagaard said. The commission is in parallel pushing for LNG imports to be phased out one year earlier, by January 2027, as part of a new package of sanctions aimed at sapping Moscow&#39;s war chest. But sanctions need unanimous approval from the EU&#39;s 27 nations, which has at times been hard to reach. Trade restrictions like those approved Monday instead require the backing of a weighted majority of 15 countries. All but Hungary and Slovakia, which are diplomatically closer to the Kremlin and still import Russian gas via pipeline, supported the latest move, according to diplomats. &quot;The real impact of this regulation is that our safe supply of energy in Hungary is going to be killed,&quot; Budapest&#39;s top diplomat, Peter Szijjarto, told reporters. His government says the landlocked country needs to import gas from Russia due to geographical constraints. Under the proposal approved Monday, which is expected to win the support of the European Parliament, Russian gas imports under new contracts will be banned as of January 1, 2026. Existing contracts will benefit from a transition period, with inflows under short-term contracts allowed until June 17 next year and those under long-term contracts until January 1, 2028. Although gas imports from Russia via pipeline have fallen sharply since the invasion of Ukraine, several European countries have increased their purchases of Russian (LNG) transported by sea. Russian gas still accounts for an estimated 13 percent of EU imports in 2025, worth over 15 billion euros annually, according to Brussels.

The EU approved a plan to end all new Russian gas imports by 2026, with full phase-out of existing contracts by 2027. Hungary and Slovakia opposed the move, citing energy supply concerns.

Articles tagged with "Russia"