Russia said on Tuesday new European Union sanctions will hinder efforts to defuse the crisis in Ukraine and urged the West to persuade Kiev to hold discussions on the country's future structure before a May 25 presidential election.

• May 13, 2014

President Barack Obama's decision on possible changes to U.S. deportation policy sets up an election-year skirmish that could help Democrats win points with their political base while irritating Republicans who are open to immigration reform.

• May 13, 2014

Russia's Gazprom (GAZP.MM) demanded a $1.66 billion pre-payment from Ukraine for June gas deliveries on Tuesday, saying the neighboring country had only half its requirements in storage to ensure a trouble-free winter

• May 13, 2014

By Armen Grigoryan,
EGF Guest Contributor

Armenia’s Russia-imposed self-isolation from the democratic international community continues and threatens to have economic and social consequences for the country. Russia is increasing its pressure in the South Caucasus, raising the specter of regional destabilization. While Russia already controls the most important sectors of Armenia’s economy, it seems set to reinforce its interests in the country so as to ensure that a fully dependent, loyal Armenia can constitute a tool for the projection of Russia’s political and military influence in the region. Russia’s overt attempt to fulfill its expansionist ambitions endangers the sovereignty of its neighbors, as well as regional stability and energy security. READ MORE

* This article was first published by the "Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program Joint Center" which holds the copyright for it.”

• May 13, 2014

A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy Politics at the European University of St Petersburg

Key points:

• Special report on Ukraine: Naftogaz, Gazprom, debts and prices: the saga continues
• In a bid to limit its dependence on Russian gas, Naftogaz seeks alternative supplies from Europe
• South Stream divides EU as OMV (Austria) breaks ranks to sign deal
• EU continues formulating ‘statement of objections’ in antitrust probe as Gazprom and EU representatives confirm interest in retaining mutually beneficial energy relations
• Russian government seeks talks with EU over energy legislation in possible first step towards WTO arbitration
• Gazprom claims progress in talks with CNPC, expects contract to be signed in May
• Gazprom reports 2013 financial results in accordance with international financial reporting standards (IFRS)
• Gazprom and Turkey consider expansion of Blue Stream from 16 bcm to 19 bc

• May 13, 2014

Ukrainian leader Oleksander Turchinov accused Russia of working to overthrow legitimate state power in Ukraine on Monday after pro-Russian rebels declared a resounding victory in rebel referendums on self-rule in eastern regions.

• May 12, 2014

Russia will be ready to hold more talks with Ukraine on its natural gas supplies only when Kiev pays its gas debt to Moscow, Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Yanovsky said on Monday.

• May 12, 2014

The European Union was set to take a cautious step towards extending sanctions against Russia on Monday, targeting companies, as well as people, linked to Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.

• May 12, 2014