CYPRUS’S finance minister pleaded with Russia for help on Wednesday to avert a financial meltdown after the island's parliament rejected the terms of a European bailout, raising the spectre of a looming default and bank crash.

• Date: 20.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 20.03.2013  |  Energy  |  from independent.ie

On February 12, Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych paid a three-day visit to gas-rich Turkmenistan to sign a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation and reiterate Kyiv’s interest in resuming direct imports of the Central Asian country’s natural gas, which were suspended in 2006 (Interfax-Ukraine, February 14).

• Date: 20.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 20.03.2013  |  Energy  |  from jamestown.org

In all the noise of tomorrow’s Budget, many may not spot a small tweak to the fiscal regime for UK oil and gas. Those of us with a close interest in unconventional oil and gas, however, will be watching closely. Last year the Chancellor announced a consultation on a specific tax regime for onshore shale gas development, the results of which are expected on Wednesday.

• Date: 19.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 19.03.2013  |  Markets  |  from spectator.co.uk

Ukraine intends to obtain observer status in the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, the country's premier has announced.

• Date: 19.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 19.03.2013  |  Markets  |  from interfax.com.ua

Putin warns proposed levy on bank deposits in Cyprus, a favoured offshore haven for Russian big business, would be dangerous

• Date: 18.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 18.03.2013  |  Markets  |  from guardian.co.uk

Kazakhstan could divert its natural gas supplies from the largest deposit in Karachaganak to China if it fails to sign a contract with Russia.

• Date: 18.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 18.03.2013  |  Energy  |  from russia-ic.com

Sergei Shoigu, a former long-time emergency situations minister (MChS) and a former Moscow region governor is a well-known and popular figure in Russia—according to recent independent Leveda-Tsentr polls, he is at present more popular than Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

• Date: 15.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 15.03.2013  |  External Relations  |  from jamestown.org

Cyprus’ debt crisis puts Russian banks and companies at risk of losing billions of dollars. Russian businesses may reportedly lose over $50 billion should the island's government default on its debt obligations according to Moody's credit rating agency.

• Date: 15.03.2013  |  Published on EGF: 15.03.2013  |  Markets  |  from rt.com