1. #4551
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    Putin in 1999



    "Blaming other countries as the source of all our problems is completely wrong. All of our problems originate within ourselves. We are to blame for our inefficiencies and our clumsiness". How often do your hear that out of a politician?



    Last edited by Backspin; 30-04-2021 at 11:02 AM.

  2. #4552
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by russellsimpson View Post
    Wonderful analysis courtesy of our friendly Floridian.


    As far as I know there haven't even been proposals as to how to solve the Crimea question, no discussion at all.

    I am absolutely certain that Russia will never give up an inch of Crimea.

    Ukraine, or at least Zelensky and friends (some describe them as former Nazi sympathizers), say they will never accept the annexation. I believe this position is almost universally held in Western Ukraine.

    The story of the Russians and Crimea is a long one.

    Perhaps somebody (ie.the USA) could quietly ask Ukraine to forego their land claim in Crimea in exchange for NATO membership. Sounds bizarre, is bizarre.

    You heard it here first!








    On the other hand what's going to happen is exactly what's been happening but hopefully without the drama. At some point, maybe in twenty five years countries will begin to opt out of the sanctions.

    When that happens what does NATO do?

    (and by NATO I mean USA.)

    Hopefully I will not have offended too many folks although I damn well know that otherwise.
    Oh fear not, you're aren't offfensive.

    You are, however, as dull as fuck and as dumb as a rock.

  3. #4553
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by russellsimpson View Post
    As far as I know there haven't even been proposals as to how to solve the Crimea question, no discussion at all
    Try familiarising yourself with this:

    Minsk Protocol

    The Minsk 2 Agreement, which halted the previous hostilities. Allowing the Ukraine governments forces, foreign mercenaries and NATO troops, safe passage out of their disastrous/surrounded positions.

    The document was signed by:[44]



    Full text here:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk_Protocol#Minsk_II

    Which remains the document applying today, I believe.

    Unfortunately two Ukraine governments have failed to follow the agreed actions.

    Hence, the current stand-off.
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  4. #4554
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    ^ The Minsk protocol is not about Crimea

  5. #4555
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    ^Forget the Crimea, that's a case closed. The people are happy they are out from the poorest country in Europe (OK, there is also a Moldova).

    But the people in Eastern Ukraine are suffering, many are killed. Who has got the chance is running away to Russia, millions already got Russian passport.

  6. #4556
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    ^ The Minsk protocol is not about Crimea
    You are correct. Please ignore my post above.

    My view on Crimea is;

    START:
    The inhabitants, due to its legal status, had a route available for its political leaders to ask for and hold a binding referendum.

    One was held. The result gave the political leaders an opportunity for them to ask the Russian government that they be admitted into The Russian Federation. The Russian government decided yes we can admit it.

    The two entities passed laws and Crimea became part of Russia.
    :END



    "The LORD was allegedly offered dusky SE Asian concubines, a Manhattan Penthouse, holidays at one British Princes friends Caribbean island and an Antigua Trust Fund - managed by the UK PMs father to refuse the Crimeans politicians request.

    He allegedly replied to them all, "I have more wealth than any of those offering these colourful trinkets. I have my own navy, army, air force and a big red button to press to fire nuclear tipped missiles.

    Those are not something a man throws away willingly."


    https://speakers-corner/139871-how-dangerous-is-'arry.html#postevry 1 of his 75,045

    Last edited by OhOh; 30-04-2021 at 05:18 PM.

  7. #4557
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    It appears a vote on one, all or a combination of .... is due today.
    It appears the European Parliament members have agreed to a single motion text. Combing the "best parts" of 5 motions into one.

    For their superiors to read, consider and possibly act upon.

    Lots of clauses starting with:

    Having regards, Whereas. Supports, Regrets, Highly concerned, Considers that the EU must, Urges. Underscores that if .... , Demands the EU should ...., Reiterates the support for ...., Deplores ...., Condems ...., Calls ....

    22 clauses in total.

    Strangely, "Uncle Tom Cobley and all" appears to be missing.

    European Parliament resolution on Russia, the case of Alexei Navalny, the military build-up on Ukraine’s border and Russian attacks in the Czech Republic

    (2021/2642(RSP))



    It will be forwarded to these groups:

    "Instructs its President to forward this resolution to:

    the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

    the Council,

    the Commission,

    the governments and parliaments of the Member States,

    the Council of Europe,

    the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe,

    the President, Government and Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

    the President, Government and the State Duma of the Russian Federation."


    The text can be found here:

    JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the case of Alexei Navalny, the military build-up on Ukraine’s border and Russian attacks in the Czech Republic

    We shall see what actions any of them will deliver, if anything.




    Last edited by OhOh; 30-04-2021 at 11:02 PM.

  8. #4558
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    The march of black embroidered shirts in honor of the SS Galicia division has ended in Kiev.
    28 Apr, 2021

    On April 28, about 250 people finished a march of black embroidered shirts on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the SS Galicia division on Independence Square in Kiev.

    A correspondent of Ukrainian News Agency reports this from the scene.

    The march began near the Arsenalnaya metro station and ended near Maidan Nezalezhnosti.

    The marching carried the emblems of the Galicia division, the flags of the Cossack Sich, the Volunteer Ukrainian Corps, flags with the sun and the inscription Solaris with a cross inside the letter "o", flags of the OUN.

    The marchers chanted: "Glory to the nation - death to enemies", "Glory to Ukraine - glory to heroes!", "Under the sign of the lion!", "Galicia" - division of heroes "" Glory to the soldiers of the Ukrainian-Russian war "," One, only, free Ukraine!"

    There were children among the marchers.

    Most of those present were dressed in black embroidered shirts, some in white or military camouflage, there were also people in ordinary clothes.

    People marched to Ukrainian-language rock music and battle cries.

    Passing the memorial to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, the participants of the march bowed before it.

    On Independence Square, activists lowered the flag "Do not forget the shooter of Ukraine, with a golden lion on his sleeve" with a photo of SS soldiers "Galychyna".

    The police accompanied the marching.

    At the words "Glory to Ukraine", some of the participants held their fists near their hearts.

    At the end of the march, the participants gathered for a collective photo near the flag.

    The 14th Waffen SS Grenadier Division "Galicia" was formed in Lvov in the spring-summer of 1943 from volunteers. The traditional SS oath provided for an oath of allegiance, including personally to the Reich Fuhrer Adolf Hitler.

    In June-July, the division was defeated by the Red Army in a battle near Brody, losing up to 70% of its personnel.

    After reorganization, the division fought first against local partisans in Slovakia and then in Yugoslavia.

    The division met the end of World War II in Europe in Austria, was renamed the 1st Division of the UNA and moved into the zone of British occupation.

    The soldiers of the USSR division were not issued, except for those who wanted it voluntarily.

    The Nuremberg Tribunal recognized the SS and all its parts as a criminal organization.

    As Ukrainian News earlier reported, one of the participants in the march in honor of the SS Galicia division used a Nazi salute to greet Hitler.

    Also, on the march in honor of the SS division "Galicia", those present chanted "Buzhansky - Radiansky dog!" ...

    Earlier, the deputy of the Verkhovna Rada from the Servant of the People faction Maxim Buzhansky announced the need to adopt a bill banning the symbols of the units of the military-police organization of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) SS (Schutzstaffel).

    Марш черных вышиванок в честь дивизии СС "Галичина" в Киеве закончился

  9. #4559
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    Prince Michael accused of using royal status to ‘sell access’ to Vladimir Putin

    Queen’s cousin described by business partner as ‘Her Majesty’s unofficial ambassador to Russia’

    11 hours ago

    An undercover investigation has claimed Prince Michael of Kent was willing to use his royal status for personal profit, and to seek favours from Russian president Vladimir Putin.

    The revelation was made by Channel 4 Dispatches in collaboration with The Sunday Times, who set up a fake South Korean gold company called House of Haedong and approached five members of the royal family with an offer of a role.

    Prince Michael of Kent responded showing interest in working with the company, telling undercover reporters that he would give House of Haedong his royal endorsement in a recorded speech for a $200,000 (Ł143,000) fee and was happy to use his home in Kensington Palace as a backdrop.

    Michael B. Jordan says there’s ‘no win’ that can take away from Chadwick Boseman’s impact

    Prince Michael does not receive money from the civil list and earns a living acting as chairman of his own private company, which offers consultancy advice.

    He was also approached about a role helping the fictitious gold firm in Russia.

    The programme said his business partner Lord Simon Reading had used an event at Kensington Palace in 2013, in which Prince Michael was a guest, to sell access to Mr Putin.

    The event, to promote the Russian wrestling sport of Sambo, also offered opportunities to personally meet the Russian leader at a later date, Dispatches found.

    In a recorded meeting with the undercover reporters, Lord Reading said: “If he [Prince Michael] is representing the House of Haedong, he could mention that to Putin and Putin would find the right person who is interested in South Korea or interested in gold.

    “It just opens the door, you know, which is so helpful.”

    He added: “I think, if I can say this, this is kind of slightly discreet, we’re talking relatively discreetly here.

    “Because we wouldn’t want the world to know that he is seeing Putin purely for business reasons, if you follow me.”

    He went on to describe Prince Michael as “Her Majesty’s unofficial ambassador to Russia”, and that tension between the UK and the Russian regime has not affected his relationship with Mr Putin.

    Responding to the programme, Prince Michael’s office said: “Prince Michael receives no public funding and earns his own living through a consultancy company that he has run for over 40 years.

    “Prince Michael has no special relationship with President Putin. They last met in June 2003 and Prince Michael has had no contact with him or his office since then.

    “Lord Reading is a good friend, who in trying to help, made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfil.”

    Lord Reading said: “I thought the approach from the House of Haedong was genuine and I was only trying to facilitate an introduction to my friend Prince Michael.

    “I made a mistake and over-promised and for that, I am truly regretful. I wasn’t at my peak as I was recovering from a kidney transplant.

    “For the record, the Sambo event which was eight years ago was my event and Prince Michael was simply my guest along with many other people.”

    Prince Michael accused of using royal status to ‘sell access’ to Vladimir Putin | The Independent

  10. #4560
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    Last I knew, Prince Michael was also the worlds top Freemason. I wonder if Vlad is on the square?

  11. #4561
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klondyke View Post
    Lord Reading
    Simon Rufus Isaacs, 4th Marquess of Reading (born 18 May 1942),[1] is a British peer, banker and philanthropist.

    Simon Isaacs, 4th Marquess of Reading - Wikipedia

    Called nowadays "influencers" in some households, royal or not.

    These "Russian influencers" are advertising a certain tourist destination. Hopefully the influencers will draw attention to the pollution problem rather than being offered a free Dubai holiday:

    Bali of the Urals: Russian influencers flood to toxic lake near site of nuclear disaster for pics as Covid-19 halts travel abroad

    "
    With international travel currently off the cards, Russia’s array of influencers are looking local for their photos. In the Urals, a toxic lake near the site of a famed nuclear disaster has become a very popular spot for snaps.

    Nicknamed ‘Bali of the Urals’, the Kaolin Quarry is in Kyshtym near the city of Chelyabinsk, 1500km (932 miles) east of Moscow. However, while it looks good in photos, taking a dip there would be ill-advised. The azure color of the water comes from dangerous chemicals, the result of a reaction between the kaolin mineral, used for ceramics, and H2O."

    Bali of the Urals: Russian influencers flood to toxic lake near site of nuclear disaster for pics as Covid-19 halts travel abroad — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

  12. #4562
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    the kaolin mineral
    Kaolin, also called China clay, mixed with H2O, also called water, makes a dangerous chemical? Well that's news to me. So what they make fine pottery from is a toxic substance?
    And considering, last I knew, the largest producer of kaolin in the world was ECC (English China Clay) PLC, than I guess the poms are poisoning the world again.
    Oh, and most fine kaolin does not go to the potteries these days- it is used in semiconductor manufacturing. So that's us all well fecked and poisoned then.

  13. #4563
    Thailand Expat HermantheGerman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    Putin in 1999


    How dangerous is Vladimir Putin?

    Fact is that Pig Face Putin is one of the ugliest man alive. God has definitely punished him already at very young age and showed no mercy when getting older.
    Matter of fact, have you ever noticed that almost all dictators are short and ugly? Maybe that is what make them so dangerous. Most likely their supporters also have a hard time looking in the mirror.

  14. #4564
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    Putin is one of the ugliest man alive
    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Lets see a photo of you mate, for comparison.

  15. #4565
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    Quote Originally Posted by HermantheGerman View Post
    Fact is that Pig Face Putin is one of the ugliest man alive. God has definitely punished him already at very young age and showed no mercy when getting older.
    Matter of fact, have you ever noticed that almost all dictators are short and ugly? Maybe that is what make them so dangerous. Most likely their supporters also have a hard time looking in the mirror.
    Never ending obsession... Is it in gens?

    But perhaps, you are tall and handsome... Then, as per your theory - unlike the short and ugly dictators - wondering why you are not kind and peaceful?

    You surely do not have hard time when looking in mirror, do you? (or anything else hard?)...

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  17. #4567
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Pipeline emerging from dark clouds

    By CHEN WEIHUA in Brussels | China Daily | Updated: 2021-05-20 09:37


    "The controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany got a shot in the arm on Tuesday with reports that the US government won't impose sanctions on the company building the project and German authorities dismissing environmental concerns.

    Germany's Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency in Hamburg granted the permit for the "safe continuation" of works after environmental groups including German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union filed lawsuits against the project in January, saying a section of the pipeline would endanger bird species in the area, Euronews reported.

    The German agency said it had granted the permit after "careful consideration of all interests". Its statement said the pipeline project would have no significant impact on nature conservation once work resumed.

    With the ruling, a 2-kilometer stretch can be laid this month on the seabed in the German exclusive economic zone.

    Also on Tuesday, US news website Axios reported that US President Joe Biden's administration will waive sanctions on the corporate entity and CEO overseeing the construction of Nord Stream 2, which the US has opposed for years.


    The unnamed sources said that the State Department will waive the application of the sanctions, citing US national interests.


    The US Congress passed legislation in 2019, expanded in 2020, that require sanctions against Nord Stream 2. But the Biden administration can waive the sanctions on national security grounds.

    An unnamed source familiar with the process, quoted by CNN, said the Biden administration decided that stopping the pipeline was not worth blowing up the relationship with Germany given the many national security issues that the two countries work on together.

    "Biden apparently thinks the relationship with Germany is more important than stopping Nord Stream 2," Mathieu von Rohr, head of the foreign desk of German publication Der Spiegel, said in a tweet on Tuesday that echoed this view.


    While waiving the sanctions over the company in charge of the project, Nord Stream 2 AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Russian gas giant Gazprom, the Biden administration will still sanction some of the smaller companies involved in the project, including some Russian firms and ships which have been helping in the construction of the pipeline, media reported."

    Pipeline emerging from dark clouds - World - Chinadaily.com.cn

  18. #4568
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Russia completes Nord Stream 2 route in face of western opposition

    Laying of controversial $11bn gas pipeline to Europe is finished two weeks before Putin meets Biden in Geneva

    Henry Foy in St Petersburg yesterday.

    "Russia has completed the laying of a controversial gas pipeline to Europe in defiance of western sanctions, president Vladimir Putin said as he derided US attempts to prevent its construction.

    Nord Stream 2, which will pump gas from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea, has been beset by financial and legal sanctions from the US and EU states that say it will increase Russia’s leverage over European energy supplies, making it a bone of contention among opponents of the Kremlin.

    Putin on Friday announced that despite such roadblocks, which included sanctions that forced international contractors to abandon the project and a restructuring of its funding, the first of its two pipes was fully laid and gas supplies could begin in 10 days.

    “Two and a half hours ago, the laying of the first string of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was successfully completed . . . Work on the entire length has been completed, including the offshore section,”

    Putin said in his annual speech to Russia’s business elite at the St Petersburg Economic Forum.

    “We are ready to continue implementing similar high-tech projects with our European and other partners. We hope that the logic of mutual benefit and gains will inevitably prevail over all sorts of artificial barriers in the current political environment.”

    The announcement came less than two weeks before Putin meets US president Joe Biden in Geneva for talks aimed at easing tensions between Moscow and the west. Biden last month waived additional sanctions against the pipeline’s operator in a tacit admission that Washington was unable to prevent the pipeline, which was more than two years behind schedule, from being completed. Berlin has meanwhile supported the pipeline, despite widespread opposition from eastern EU countries, complicating the US calculus as Biden seeks to strengthen relations with Germany.

    The US has said it remains opposed to Nord Stream 2, despite the sanctions waiver.

    “The new American administration says it wants to build good relations with its main partners in Europe,”

    Putin said.

    “Well, how can you build good relations with partners if you do not care about their interests? This is just some kind of nonsense.”

    Putin also said he believed US sanctions suggested that Washington

    “apparently does not respect its currency very much, since it is used as an instrument of competition and political struggle, which damages the dollar as the world’s reserve currency.”

    Sanctions hurt the world economy, he added.

    “They shrink it instead of helping to develop it.”

    US and EU opposition to the pipeline has centred on fears that the Kremlin will use increased gas exports as political leverage over European countries, and that its true purpose is to avoid existing pipelines through Ukraine, thus depriving Kyiv of transit revenue. Both Russia and Germany say it is a purely economic project that will ensure future EU gas demand is met. Moscow always vowed the pipeline would be completed regardless of western pressure.

    This year, Gazprom, the Kremlin-controlled gas producer, had to refit some of its ships to lay its last stretch after sanctions prompted Swiss contractor Allseas to withdraw, and several European insurers and engineering companies pulled out.

    European energy companies Shell, Wintershall, Engie, Uniper and OMV have paid for half of the project’s $11bn construction cost."


    Subscribe to read | Financial Times

    A 3-hour video of his address and Q and A session:

    Last edited by OhOh; 05-06-2021 at 09:04 PM.

  19. #4569
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Meanwhile, high on the list of travel you probably wouldn't bother with...

    Russia may provide Covid-19 vaccinations for a fee to foreigners who travel to the country, President Vladimir Putin told an economic forum on Friday, as Moscow seeks to enhance its global reputation with its Sputnik V vaccine.
    Have you booked your flight yet comrade?


  20. #4570
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    German parliament rejects green party’s initiative to ditch Nord Stream 2 project

    BERLIN, June 11.

    "The German parliament voted on Thursday to reject a resolution by the Alliance 90/The Greens party to ditch the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project and review the country’s relations with Russia.

    "The proposal was overturned during a direct vote by the majority comprising factions of CDU/CSU, the Social Democratic Party of Germany, Alternative for Germany and The Left," the parliament said in a statement, posted on the website.

    Only members of Alliance 90/The Greens voted in favor of their own proposal.

    The resolution, headlined "Reviewing the political course towards Russia: consistently defending human rights, democracy and the European world order." Among other things, the document says the German government should "admit that a new pipeline, such as Nord Stream 2, is not crucial for Europe’s energy supplies, but, most importantly, is harmful for climate." The Greens called upon the German government to give up the project.

    The party has already put forward several proposals aimed against the pipeline project, but they have been rejected by lawmakers."

    German parliament rejects green party’s initiative to ditch Nord Stream 2 project - World - TASS
    Last edited by OhOh; 12-06-2021 at 07:14 PM.

  21. #4571
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    It's not crucial, but it does allow for some nice price negotiations.

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    Amur Gas Processing Plant first production line launching ceremony

    The President took part, via videoconference, in the launching ceremony of the first production line of the Amur Gas Processing Plant, a project implemented by Gazprom.

    June 9, 2021 14:20 Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region

    How dangerous is Vladimir Putin?-w1100_cdf1914_0007-jpg


    "The Amur Gas Processing Plant near Svobodny ranks among Gazprom’s major infrastructure projects in Russia’s Far East. Its construction was launched in 2015. The facility will process multi-component natural gas from the Yakutia and Irkutsk gas production centres. The gas will be delivered via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline.The Amur Gas Processing Plant is to attain design capacity in early 2025 and will annually produce 42 billion cubic metres of gas. Six production lines with an annual capacity of seven billion cubic metres of gas each will be activated stage by stage. The Plant will include the world’s largest helium production facility with an annual capacity of up to 60 million cubic metres.
    Gazprom’s processing capabilities will increase by 80 percent after the Amur Gas Processing Plant attains design capacity.

    * * *
    President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

    Mr Miller, colleagues, friends,

    Good afternoon, I am happy to be greeting you all.

    Today, we are witnessing a landmark event: Russia’s Gazprom is launching the first production line of the Amur Gas Processing Plant. After attaining design capacity, it will become one of the world’s largest enterprises for processing natural gas and the largest producer of helium, a gas in high demand at numerous key high-tech sectors. Helium is part of medical gas mixtures, artificial air for both divers and cosmonauts; it is also used in magnetic resonance imaging, to make computer chips, optical fibre cables, LCD screens and so forth.

    We have been watching this project since its inception because it has special significance for the Russian economy. We launched it in 2015, and, as far as I recall, I visited the construction site in 2017. We constantly monitored its implementation.

    I am aware that several thousand specialists from many Russian regions and their foreign counterparts have worked hard to make this project a reality. A number of complicated construction, engineering and logistic tasks have been accomplished. All environmental requirements have been complied with, and unique Russian and foreign-made equipment has been installed.

    In this context, I would like to note the weighty contribution made by our foreign partners who were actively involved in equipping the plant. We certainly welcome such cooperation, and we are counting on it in the future.

    I would like to sincerely thank all of your large and well-coordinated team for your perseverance, responsibility, for your dedication to achieve the maximum result.

    You have created a truly large industrial complex, strategically important, without exaggeration. Again, it is not just significant for the industry, but also for the entire national economy, for the development of Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East. The Amur Gas Processing Plant is a good step towards increasing the natural gas refinery yield, which means sustainable and efficient use of natural resources.

    After reaching full capacity in 2025, the plant will annually process – Mr Miller will correct me if I am mistaken – 42 billion cubic metres of natural gas, and produce about 60 million cubic metres of helium. This will be enough to meet the domestic demand for helium, as well as to take one of the leading positions on the global market.

    At present, the United States accounts for 56 percent of the world market, Qatar, for 28 percent, Algeria, nine, while Russia's share is only 3 percent. We will significantly increase our capacity.

    I would also like to underscore that the Amur Plant will be part of a large gas chemical cluster, which is now being developed in the region. Sibur is building its flagship polyethylene and polypropylene plant here. The Amur plant will supply raw feed for the Sibur facility.

    The launch of such up-to-date production facilities means thousands of new jobs for qualified specialists, an increase in tax revenues, the development of transport infrastructure, more housing, and an entire range of public services – a new outpatient clinic, a kindergarten, a school, and other facilities. All this will improve the quality of life in the region.

    We are now adopting far-reaching plans for the development of the country's infrastructure, for the modernisation of industries, for unleashing the potential of all Russian regions, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok. Your work to build the Amur gas processing plant is definitely direct and visible proof that we are ready and capable of implementing such ambitious plans.

    I would like to wish you further success and to congratulate you once again on today's landmark event. All the very best.

    Go ahead, please, Mr Miller.

    Gazprom Board Chairman Alexei Miller:

    Mr President,

    The Amur Gas Processing Plant will be the anchor enterprise of a new gas deep processing and petrochemical centre in eastern Russia. It will process about 42 billion cubic metres of gas annually. Today, we are launching the first production line.

    The construction schedule was extremely rigid; the project required a great amount of work. Today, we can say that we are launching the plant in strict compliance with the officially planned deadlines; it took us less than six years to complete it.

    The plant will produce 2.4 million tonnes of ethane, 1.5 million tonnes of liquefied hydrocarbon gases (propane and butane), 200,000 tonnes of pentane-hexane fraction, as well as helium. All valuable components will be removed from the gas at this plant, and residual gas will be pumped back into the Power of Siberia trunk pipeline. Capacity will expand gradually as the plant receives increasingly more gas via the Power of Siberia pipeline.

    Helium should be noted separately. This is an important product of the plant that will produce about 60 million cubic metres of helium annually. The plant will become the world’s largest helium producer.

    Helium is in high demand at the most advanced production facilities. We are seeing the demand for helium continue to increase, especially in Southeast Asia. A hub for delivering helium to international markets will be completed near Vladivostok soon.

    Of course, it also became necessary to create strong infrastructure for this major project. About 30 kilometres of roads were built under the project, and a 40-kilometre railway links the plant to the Trans-Siberian mainline. A pier was also built on the Zeya River.
    As the plant is an energy-intensive enterprise, the 160-megawatt Svobodnenskaya thermal power station was built nearby. The station uses
    Russian-made power-generating equipment.

    The social infrastructure for the plant’s workers and their families includes a modern residential district with a general school, an outpatient clinic, a kindergarten, a cultural centre and a sports complex. Within the framework of the Gazprom for Children programme, we have built a comprehensive sports and recreation centre for over 200 people in Blagoveshchensk. Most importantly, the facility has the region’s first gyms for martial arts including boxing, wrestling, judo and karate.

    Gas is transported to the Amur Gas Processing Plant from the Chayandinsky field, so I will now give the floor to Mr Dzhalyabov, Director General of Gazprom Dobycha Noyabrsk.
    Please.
    .....

    Alexei Miller:

    Mr President,

    We control the production processes, including gas production, transportation, storage, processing and distribution, from Gazprom’s central dispatch control office. Today, we are ready to connect the Amur Gas Processing Plant to this unified control centre.

    May I ask you to give the order to activate the plant?

    Vladimir Putin:


    You may begin.

    Shift Manager of the Amur Gas Processing Plant’s Operational Dispatch Control Department Yevgeny Dyakov:

    This is Shift Manager Yevgeny Dyakov at the Amur GPP Dispatch Control Department.

    The first production line is ready to receive natural gas from the Power of Siberia trunk pipeline.

    I am opening the valve, and the gas is now entering the plant.

    The gas-separation units are functioning properly.

    Alexei Miller:


    Mr President,

    The Amur Gas Processing Plant has been launched and has become an integral part of Gazprom’s production system.

    Vladimir Putin:


    Dear friends, colleagues,

    I would like to congratulate you on this event once again. This is a capital-intensive and science-intensive project worth over a trillion rubles, all told. I am confident that this entire huge enterprise, with an area of over 900 hectares, will be fully operational in 2024–2025, as planned.
    It is particularly good to note that we have many partners who are interested in joint work and specific results, including people and companies from Russia, Turkey, China, India, Italy, the Federal Republic of Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. As far as I know, this is a huge team of approximately 35,000 people.

    I am confident that this joint work will benefit us, and that it will also make it possible to establish many other similar facilities and new alliances for achieving common results.

    Thank you very much.

    Congratulations once again, and I wish you all the best.


    Amur Gas Processing Plant first production line launching ceremony • President of Russia

  23. #4573
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Telephone conversation with President of the European Council Charles Michel

    Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the European Council Charles Michel.

    June 7, 2021 17:35

    "Relations between Russia and the European Union, as well as a number of current international issues, were discussed in detail.

    Vladimir Putin stressed that, although Russia and the European Union remained significant trade and investment partners, the current state of Russia-EU relations could not be considered satisfactory. It was noted that a return to pragmatic and respectful cooperation would be in the interests of both. Mutual opinion was expressed that it is important to step up cooperation in specific areas like healthcare, the climate agenda, and settling regional conflicts.

    Combatting the spread of the coronavirus infection was also discussed, including the prospects for certifying the Russian vaccine Sputnik V in the European Union and ensuring conditions for mutual travel while complying with anti-pandemic restrictions.

    Developments around Nagorno-Karabakh were discussed in terms of the importance of the further and consistent implementation of the statements made by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021. Priority tasks include unblocking economic and transport connections in the region and resolving local humanitarian problems. Charles Michel expressed support for these efforts, including the work of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs (Russia, the US and France).

    Regarding the additional sanctions pressure on Belarus from the European Union, Vladimir Putin noted that such an approach, like any attempt to interfere in this sovereign state’s domestic affairs, was counterproductive.

    When discussing the internal Ukrainian crisis, both sides noted that the 2015 Minsk Package of Measures remained the only basis for the settlement process. The President of Russia said that the Kiev authorities must strictly implement all previously reached agreements, primarily on establishing a direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk and legalising the special status of Donbass.

    During the discussion of developments in Libya, Vladimir Putin and Charles Michel spoke in favour of further promoting the political process and supporting the established authorities during the transition period."

    Telephone conversation with President of the European Council Charles Michel • President of Russia

  24. #4574
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Is he going to give Big Joe a call?

  25. #4575
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    Is he going to give Big Joe a call?
    Who do you think would answer the phone of POTUS?

    How dangerous is Vladimir Putin?-biden-wife-jpg

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