themoscowtimes--2020-09-07--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

Tens of thousands of Belarusians held a peaceful march for the fourth consecutive Sunday , keeping the pressure on strongman Alexander Lukashenko as he refuses to step down after his disputed re-election and turns to Russia for support .
If Russia does not help clarify what happened `` in the coming days , '' Germany will be compelled to `` discuss a response with our allies , '' Heiko Maas told the German daily Bild .
Germany , the current head of the European Union , will discuss possible sanctions against Russia over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , its foreign minister said Sunday .
Belarusians across the country have been demonstrating for nearly a month even though the protest movement lacks a clear leader , with many activists jailed or forced out of the country .
Activists said around 200 protesters were detained Sunday .
Russia recorded more than 30,000 excess deaths in July as the coronavirus pandemic continued to sweep across the country , new data from the country ’ s statistics service Rosstat showed .
A total of 181,479 deaths were registered in July 2020 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to an average of around 150,000 July deaths over the previous five years .
Rosstat ’ s tally means more people died in July 2020 than in any of the 119 months since a spate of devastating wildfires killed tens of thousands across Russia in August 2010 .
It is typically rare to record a higher number of deaths in the summer months than during the winter .
Around 10,000 people took to the streets of Khabarovsk in Russia ’ s Far East on Saturday to support their ex-governor , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in one of the most sustained movements of provincial disaffection in recent years .
In addition to chanting slogans in support of Sergei Furgal , the demonstrators carried red-and-white flags in solidarity with protesters in Belarus and placards accusing Russia of poisoning Navalny , a charge that Moscow denies .
A rare spat broke out between Serbia and Russia after Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman apparently compared Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to actor Sharon Stone in “ Basic Instinct ” after he signed a U.S.-brokered agreement with former wartime foe Kosovo @

Tens of thousands of Belarusians held a peaceful march for the fourth consecutive Sunday, keeping the pressure on strongman Alexander Lukashenko as he refuses to step down after his disputed re-election and turns to Russia for support.
If Russia does not help clarify what happened "in the coming days," Germany will be compelled to "discuss a response with our allies," Heiko Maas told the German daily Bild.
Germany, the current head of the European Union, will discuss possible sanctions against Russia over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon, its foreign minister said Sunday.
Belarusians across the country have been demonstrating for nearly a month even though the protest movement lacks a clear leader, with many activists jailed or forced out of the country. Activists said around 200 protesters were detained Sunday.
Excess deaths
Russia recorded more than 30,000 excess deaths in July as the coronavirus pandemic continued to sweep across the country, new data from the country’s statistics service Rosstat showed.
A total of 181,479 deaths were registered in July 2020, according to data compiled by regional registry offices — compared to an average of around 150,000 July deaths over the previous five years.
Rosstat’s tally means more people died in July 2020 than in any of the 119 months since a spate of devastating wildfires killed tens of thousands across Russia in August 2010. It is typically rare to record a higher number of deaths in the summer months than during the winter.
Far East protests
Around 10,000 people took to the streets of Khabarovsk in Russia’s Far East on Saturday to support their ex-governor, who has been arrested on murder charges he denies, in one of the most sustained movements of provincial disaffection in recent years.
In addition to chanting slogans in support of Sergei Furgal, the demonstrators carried red-and-white flags in solidarity with protesters in Belarus and placards accusing Russia of poisoning Navalny, a charge that Moscow denies.
‘Basic instinct’
A rare spat broke out between Serbia and Russia after Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman apparently compared Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to actor Sharon Stone in “Basic Instinct” after he signed a U.S.-brokered agreement with former wartime foe Kosovo.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-06--Belarus Protesters Keep Pressure on Lukashenko With New March

Thousands of Belarusians staged a peaceful new march on Sunday , keeping the pressure on strongman Alexander Lukashenko who has refused to quit after his disputed re-election and turned to Russia for help to stay in power .
Holding red-and-white flags and placards , protesters including many students took to the streets of the capital Minsk despite authorities mounting a massive show of force and detaining some demonstrators .
Troops , water cannon , armoured personnel carriers and armoured reconnaissance vehicles were deployed to the city centre ahead of the march and metro stations in Minsk 's centre were closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has ruled the ex-Soviet state for 26 years , claimed re-election with 80 % of the vote on Aug. 9 .
Opposition rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says she won the vote but Lukashenko 's security forces have detained thousands of protesters , many of whom accused police of beatings and torture .
Several people have died in the crackdown .
Tikhanovskaya left Belarus under pressure from authorities and took shelter in EU member Lithuania .
Belarusians have been demonstrating across the country for nearly a month even though the protest movement lacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jailed or forced out of the country .
Many say they will keep taking to the streets until Lukashenko quits .
`` Why is our legitimately elected president located in a different country ? ''
he said , referring to 37-year-old Tikhanovskaya More than 100,000 people flooded the streets of the capital Minsk over the past three weekends .

Thousands of Belarusians staged a peaceful new march on Sunday, keeping the pressure on strongman Alexander Lukashenko who has refused to quit after his disputed re-election and turned to Russia for help to stay in power.
Holding red-and-white flags and placards, protesters including many students took to the streets of the capital Minsk despite authorities mounting a massive show of force and detaining some demonstrators.
Troops, water cannon, armoured personnel carriers and armoured reconnaissance vehicles were deployed to the city centre ahead of the march and metro stations in Minsk's centre were closed.
Unprecedented protests broke out after Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet state for 26 years, claimed re-election with 80% of the vote on Aug. 9.
Opposition rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says she won the vote but Lukashenko's security forces have detained thousands of protesters, many of whom accused police of beatings and torture. Several people have died in the crackdown.
Tikhanovskaya left Belarus under pressure from authorities and took shelter in EU member Lithuania.
Belarusians have been demonstrating across the country for nearly a month even though the protest movement lacks a clear leader, with many activists jailed or forced out of the country.
Many say they will keep taking to the streets until Lukashenko quits.
"Lukashenko must go," Nikolai Dyatlov, a 32-year-old protester, told AFP.
"Why is our legitimately elected president located in a different country?" he said, referring to 37-year-old Tikhanovskaya
More than 100,000 people flooded the streets of the capital Minsk over the past three weekends.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-07--Explosion Opens New ‘Pit to Hell’ Crater in Russian Arctic

An explosion believed to have been caused by subterranean gases has opened up a massive hole in the ground in Russia ’ s Arctic , the latest natural phenomenon to affect the fast-warming region amid a record-setting summer .
Russian scientists discovered the 50-meter crater on an expedition to the Yamal Peninsula above the Arctic Circle in July , according to state television .
It was dubbed Crater 17 as 16 similar objects have been discovered in Siberia ’ s extreme northwest since the phenomenon was first observed in 2014 .
The Gizmodo science news website nicknamed the vast hole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was making noises .
It was like something alive , ” Yevgeny Chuvilin , one of Russia ’ s leading permafrost experts who took part in the expedition , said of Crater 17 to The New York Times .
Researchers believe that the craters are formed when long-frozen earth known as permafrost begins to melt and release trapped methane gas , according to Popular Mechanics .
The methane creates bulges on Earth ’ s surface known as pingos , which eventually explode and leave behind craters .
The trapped methane “ goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Chuvilin told NYT .
According to the NYT , there are two working theories on what causes the pressure to rise enough to lead to an explosion : deep-seated frozen methane reverting to its gaseous state or thawing surface permafrost releasing methane deposits .
Chuvilin told NYT that the conditions that cause the explosions may be specific to the far north of western Siberia , pointing to an absence of similar craters elsewhere in Siberia or permafrost-covered Canada and Alaska , regions which are also impacted by climate change .
Melting permafrost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diesel fuel spill near the Arctic city of Norilsk in May , which environmentalists have called the worst-ever spill of its kind to hit the region .
Russia ’ s Arctic and Siberian regions , already warming at a faster rate than the rest of the world , are facing a historic summer heat wave accompanied by wildfires , fuel spills , crop failures and more .
Permafrost researchers have said that this summer 's heat has also accelerated the expansion of a 100-meter crater that appeared in eastern Siberia following deforestation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July expedition to Crater 17 told Russian state television that his team plans to conduct further research into the crater and submit its findings to an academic journal .

An explosion believed to have been caused by subterranean gases has opened up a massive hole in the ground in Russia’s Arctic, the latest natural phenomenon to affect the fast-warming region amid a record-setting summer. Russian scientists discovered the 50-meter crater on an expedition to the Yamal Peninsula above the Arctic Circle in July, according to state television. It was dubbed Crater 17 as 16 similar objects have been discovered in Siberia’s extreme northwest since the phenomenon was first observed in 2014.
The Gizmodo science news website nicknamed the vast hole a “pit to hell.” “It was making noises. It was like something alive,” Yevgeny Chuvilin, one of Russia’s leading permafrost experts who took part in the expedition, said of Crater 17 to The New York Times. Researchers believe that the craters are formed when long-frozen earth known as permafrost begins to melt and release trapped methane gas, according to Popular Mechanics. The methane creates bulges on Earth’s surface known as pingos, which eventually explode and leave behind craters. The trapped methane “goes off like a bottle of champagne,” Chuvilin told NYT. According to the NYT, there are two working theories on what causes the pressure to rise enough to lead to an explosion: deep-seated frozen methane reverting to its gaseous state or thawing surface permafrost releasing methane deposits.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-07--Putin, Saudi King Discuss Joint Vaccine Production – Kremlin

In early August , Russia said it had developed the world 's first vaccine against the virus and claimed that more than a billion doses had been pre-ordered by 20 countries , including Saudi Arabia .
Saudi King Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Monday the possible joint production of a Russian coronavirus vaccine , the Kremlin said .
Russia 's sovereign wealth fund has provided much of the financing , and it has identified Saudi Arabia as one of the countries interested in the vaccine .
On Monday , Putin and Salman discussed `` collective efforts aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , '' a Kremlin statement said , while noting the call had come at the Saudi king 's initiative .
`` Particular attention was paid to the perspective of joint production of a vaccine that was developed by Russia , '' the statement added .
It also said that Russia and Saudi Arabia , two major producers of crude oil , would continue to `` pursue close coordination '' to ensure stable oil prices .
Crude prices have fallen over the past week as traders consider the outlook for long-term demand owing @ @ @ @ @ @ @

In early August, Russia said it had developed the world's first vaccine against the virus and claimed that more than a billion doses had been pre-ordered by 20 countries, including Saudi Arabia.
Saudi King Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Monday the possible joint production of a Russian coronavirus vaccine, the Kremlin said.
Russia's sovereign wealth fund has provided much of the financing, and it has identified Saudi Arabia as one of the countries interested in the vaccine.
On Monday, Putin and Salman discussed "collective efforts aimed at overcoming the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic," a Kremlin statement said, while noting the call had come at the Saudi king's initiative.
"Particular attention was paid to the perspective of joint production of a vaccine that was developed by Russia," the statement added.
It also said that Russia and Saudi Arabia, two major producers of crude oil, would continue to "pursue close coordination" to ensure stable oil prices.
Crude prices have fallen over the past week as traders consider the outlook for long-term demand owing to fallout from the virus pandemic.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-07--Russian FM Meets Syria's Assad on Rare Visit

Assad said `` the Syrian government was determined to continue working with Russian partners '' to implement signed agreements , and encourage the `` success of Russian investments in Syria , '' a statement from the presidency read .
Syria 's President Bashar al-Assad discussed economic cooperation Monday with Russia 's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov , as Moscow 's envoy made his first visit to war-torn Syria since 2012 , the presidency said .
They discussed possible new agreements `` in the interest of both countries and to alleviate the impact of a policy of sanctions '' by Western countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement added .
Lavrov joined a Russian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov , arriving in the Syrian capital on Sunday night , state news agency SANA said .
Both countries have signed several deals in recent years in energy , construction and agriculture .
They include one for Russian firm Stroytransgaz to take over Syria 's largest port of Tartous for 49 years .
In 2018 , Syria awarded the same company a 50-year concession to extract phosphate in the central region of Palmyra .
The Russian foreign minister later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterpart Walid Muallem , after which he was due to head to nearby Cyprus .
President Vladimir Putin made his first trip to Damascus in Syria 's nine-year-old war in January this year .
The Russian leader also visited Syria in December 2017 , but did not go to the capital , only stopping at the Russian base of Hmeimim on the Mediterranean coast .
Russia has been a key ally of the Damascus regime throughout the Syrian conflict that erupted in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests .
Moscow 's military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the war , with Russian air power allowing Syrian government forces to win back large parts of the country from rebels and jihadists .
Russia already has a naval base in Tartous .
With UN-led peace talks floundering in recent years , Moscow and rebel backer Turkey have emerged as the main powerbrokers in alternative negotiations .
The conflict has ravaged the Syrian economy , killed more than 380,000 people and pushed millions to flee their homes .

Assad said "the Syrian government was determined to continue working with Russian partners" to implement signed agreements, and encourage the "success of Russian investments in Syria," a statement from the presidency read.
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad discussed economic cooperation Monday with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as Moscow's envoy made his first visit to war-torn Syria since 2012, the presidency said.
They discussed possible new agreements "in the interest of both countries and to alleviate the impact of a policy of sanctions" by Western countries against government-held areas of Syria, the statement added.
Lavrov joined a Russian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, arriving in the Syrian capital on Sunday night, state news agency SANA said.
Both countries have signed several deals in recent years in energy, construction and agriculture.
They include one for Russian firm Stroytransgaz to take over Syria's largest port of Tartous for 49 years.
In 2018, Syria awarded the same company a 50-year concession to extract phosphate in the central region of Palmyra.
The Russian foreign minister later attended a news conference with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem, after which he was due to head to nearby Cyprus.
President Vladimir Putin made his first trip to Damascus in Syria's nine-year-old war in January this year.
The Russian leader also visited Syria in December 2017, but did not go to the capital, only stopping at the Russian base of Hmeimim on the Mediterranean coast.
Russia has been a key ally of the Damascus regime throughout the Syrian conflict that erupted in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests.
Moscow's military intervention in 2015 helped turn the tide of the war, with Russian air power allowing Syrian government forces to win back large parts of the country from rebels and jihadists.
Russia already has a naval base in Tartous.
With UN-led peace talks floundering in recent years, Moscow and rebel backer Turkey have emerged as the main powerbrokers in alternative negotiations.
The conflict has ravaged the Syrian economy, killed more than 380,000 people and pushed millions to flee their homes.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-07--Navalny Comes Out of Coma, Berlin Hospital Says

German authorities have said that Navalny , Russia ’ s de facto opposition leader , was poisoned with a nerve agent from the Novichok family , the substance that Britain has said was used to poison a former Russian spy on its soil in 2018 .
The 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner fell violently ill on a flight to Moscow on Aug. 20 and was evacuated to Germany after two days of treatment in Siberia .
Prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been taken out of his medically induced coma and is being gradually taken off a ventilator , the Charité hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment for the past two weeks said Monday .
“ The patient has been removed from his medically induced coma and is being weaned off mechanical ventilation , ” Charité said in a statement .
Navalny is “ responding to verbal stimuli , ” it added .
The hospital warned , however , that the long-term health effects of Navalny ’ s “ severe poisoning ” were still unknown .
Russian authorities have maintained that they have not seen evidence that Navalny was poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent .
The Kremlin has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany in investigating Navalny ’ s poisoning but urged Berlin to share its findings .
Doctors who treated Navalny in Siberia said they diagnosed him with a metabolic disease .
On Friday , Siberian toxicologists pinned Navalny ’ s coma on dieting , excess drinking , stress or fatigue .
Navalny ’ s associates have attempted but failed to get the Russian authorities to open a criminal investigation into his attempted murder .

German authorities have said that Navalny, Russia’s de facto opposition leader, was poisoned with a nerve agent from the Novichok family, the substance that Britain has said was used to poison a former Russian spy on its soil in 2018. The 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner fell violently ill on a flight to Moscow on Aug. 20 and was evacuated to Germany after two days of treatment in Siberia.
Prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been taken out of his medically induced coma and is being gradually taken off a ventilator, the Charité hospital in Berlin where he has been undergoing treatment for the past two weeks said Monday.
“The patient has been removed from his medically induced coma and is being weaned off mechanical ventilation,” Charité said in a statement.
Navalny is “responding to verbal stimuli,” it added.
The hospital warned, however, that the long-term health effects of Navalny’s “severe poisoning” were still unknown.
Russian authorities have maintained that they have not seen evidence that Navalny was poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent. The Kremlin has said it was willing to work with Germany in investigating Navalny’s poisoning but urged Berlin to share its findings.
Doctors who treated Navalny in Siberia said they diagnosed him with a metabolic disease. On Friday, Siberian toxicologists pinned Navalny’s coma on dieting, excess drinking, stress or fatigue.
Navalny’s associates have attempted but failed to get the Russian authorities to open a criminal investigation into his attempted murder.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-07--Explainer: What is Nord Stream 2 and Why Might Navalny’s Poisoning Stop Its Completion?

The confirmation that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with Novichok has heightened calls for Germany to review its support for Nord Stream 2 — Gazprom ’ s mega gas pipeline project linking the two countries .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not rule out consequences for the project if Russia fails to thoroughly investigate the incident , her spokesperson said Monday , raising speculation of a possible reversal of Berlin ’ s long-standing support for Nord Stream 2 , which was supposed to come online by the end of 2019 .
Critics — including the U.S. government and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central Europe — say Nord Stream 2 will be bad for Europe ’ s energy security and is inappropriate given Moscow ’ s numerous transgressions against the west in recent years .
Advocates argue that Europe already buys a substantial amount of Russian gas , that the pipeline could help reduce prices and that commercial interests are the root of U.S. opposition .
Nord Stream 2 is a twin set of 1,230 kilometer gas pipelines with the capacity to carry 55 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia to Germany every year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the project at around $ 10 billion , with half coming from a consortium of European energy companies — Shell , Engie , OMV , Uniper and Wintershall Holding .
Gazprom is 51 % shareholder in the Swiss-based company Nord Stream AG , which manages the pipeline construction .
The pipeline runs parallel to the existing Nord Stream which came online in 2012 .
When operational , it will take the combined capacity of the pipelines running directly between Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea to 110 billion cubic meters — or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total current gas exports to Europe .
In 2019 , Gazprom exported 199 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe according to the company ’ s website .
Around two thirds of the total capacity is through land pipe networks which run through Ukraine or Belarus — countries which take substantial transit fees for the use of their networks .
From Germany , the gas could then be transported around Europe through existing infrastructure .
At current price forecasts and operating at full capacity , Nord Stream 2 would pipe around $ 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every year .
Construction is currently frozen with around 94 % of the pipeline complete — the entire route except from a short section through Danish waters .
Why is it controversial ?
The project has proved controversial from the start — like the first Nord Stream link when it was proposed more than a decade ago .
Opponents say the project will increase Europe ’ s reliance on Russia for its energy needs , giving Moscow a strong lever of potential control over the continent .
Countries across central and eastern Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2016 , eight EU leaders wrote to the European Commission against the initiative , saying it posed “ energy security risks ” to the EU .
More recently , the U.S. has become one of Nord Stream 2 ’ s fiercest opponents .
President Donald Trump said of the pipeline : “ it ’ s a horrible thing what Germany is doing .
Germany is a captive of Russia.
” U.S. ambassadors across Europe have been fiercely lobbying against the initiative both publicly and privately .
In an open letter , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said recently : “ The Nord Stream 2 pipeline will heighten Europe ’ s susceptibility to Russia ’ s energy blackmail tactics.
” Another form of criticism is the impact the project will have on Ukraine — where gas transit fees make up 3 % of the country ’ s GDP .
A U.S. State Department fact sheet explaining its opposition to the project states : “ Nord Stream 2 is a tool Russia is using to support its continued aggression against Ukraine ... Nord Stream 2 would enable Russia to bypass Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would deprive Ukraine of substantial transit revenues and increase its vulnerability to Russian aggression.
” In the most extreme version , some fear Russia could use the threat — or actuality — of turning off the taps to exert political or economic pressure on the EU or governments across Europe .
In a bid to stop the project , the U.S. has levied a number of sanctions against its construction , including banning high-tech western vessels from laying pipes .
That has pushed back construction , with a final section through Danish waters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will be completed , although it would not come online before next year .
Germany said it rejected “ the imposition of extraterritorial sanctions ” as a matter of principle .
What do its supporters say ?
Before the Navalny poisoning , Germany had steadfastly tried to keep the issue of Nord Stream 2 separate from the rest of its Russia policy , including the war in eastern Ukraine , allegations of election interference and cyberattacks , the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in the U.K. and a general deterioration of Moscow ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has previously rejected the idea that Nord Stream 2 poses a risk to energy security , and insisted the driving force behind the pipeline was economic — reducing the price Europe pays Russia for gas while it embarks on its decades-long energy transition towards cleaner sources of fuel .
Analysts also suspect commercial interests behind America ’ s opposition .
Namely , a desire to sell more expensive liquified natural gas ( LNG ) to Europe .
Since Europe already buys around 40 % of its gas from Russia , the Nord Stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mechanism than overall reliance on Russia , advocates say .
Besides , given tensions between Kiev and Moscow , heavy reliance on transit through Ukraine could be a form of instability , with Russia just as able — and perhaps more likely — to disrupt supply through that pipeline , as it did in 2009 .
How does the Navalny poisoning affect Nord Stream 2 ?
Germany ’ s confirmation that Navalny was poisoned by Novichok — a controlled chemical weapon — has added new fuel to the campaign against Nord Stream 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubled down on their criticism , insisting Germany rethink the project .
But new voices from inside Germany have also come out against the pipeline .
“ This openly attempted murder through the Kremlin ’ s mafia-like structures should not just worry us but needs to have real consequences .
Nord Stream 2 is no longer something we can jointly pursue with Russia ” said Katrin Göring-Eckardt , the co-chair of Germany ’ s Green Party , which is second in the polls to Merkel ’ s Christian Democrats ( CDU ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guardian .
The chairperson of Germany ’ s foreign affairs committee and CDU leadership candidate Norbert Röttgen called on Twitter for Nord Stream 2 to be scrapped , writing : “ After the poisoning of Navalny we need a strong European answer , which Putin understands .
The EU should jointly decide to stop Nord Stream 2.
” In a significant step , the German government itself warned Russia that the future of the project is on the table .
“ I hope the Russians won ’ t force us to change our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany ’ s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the Bild newspaper , which also called for the project to be halted in an editorial last week .
A spokesperson for Merkel said that a possible sanctioning of the project was an option .
“ The chancellor believes it would be wrong to rule anything out from the start , ” her spokesperson Steffen Seibert told reporters Monday in response to a question about the Gazprom-controlled project .
What happens next ?
Analysts still believe the pipeline is more likely to go ahead than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage of its construction .
Any backtrack on Nord Stream 2 would be a monumental shift in policy from Germany , and especially Merkel , who has invested significant political capital in the project against criticism from the U.S. and within the EU .
Just last Friday the Chancellor argued the poisoning of Navanly should be “ decoupled ” from the issue of Nord Stream 2 , adding : “ Our opinion is that Nord Stream 2 should be completed.
” And despite foreign minister Maas ’ warnings , he also said any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ pinpointed effectively ” and acknowledged a cancellation would hurt Germany as well as Russia .
The U.S. ’ vocal opposition could even backfire , some analysts said , if it makes a reversal on Nord Stream 2 appear to be a climbdown in the face of American pressure .
Nevertheless , the forcefulness of Germany ’ s response so far — and the personal involvement of Merkel — has taken some by surprise , indicating a potential willingness to act .
“ That suggests the depth of her concern about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days ago the intention of the German authorities was again to lay to rest the Nord Stream 2 issue , but this — at the very least — returns it to centre stage , ” said Nigel Gould-Davies , senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies .
In any case , a formal response to the poisoning is at least some weeks away , say experts familiar with the EU ’ s sanctions process .
Germany has said it is “ too soon ” to begin considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now — to be using Nord Stream 2 as a tool to push Moscow to launch a full and transparent investigation into the poisoning .

The confirmation that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with Novichok has heightened calls for Germany to review its support for Nord Stream 2 — Gazprom’s mega gas pipeline project linking the two countries. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not rule out consequences for the project if Russia fails to thoroughly investigate the incident, her spokesperson said Monday, raising speculation of a possible reversal of Berlin’s long-standing support for Nord Stream 2, which was supposed to come online by the end of 2019. Critics — including the U.S. government and many former communist countries across eastern and central Europe — say Nord Stream 2 will be bad for Europe’s energy security and is inappropriate given Moscow’s numerous transgressions against the west in recent years. Advocates argue that Europe already buys a substantial amount of Russian gas, that the pipeline could help reduce prices and that commercial interests are the root of U.S. opposition. What is Nord Stream 2? Nord Stream 2 is a twin set of 1,230 kilometer gas pipelines with the capacity to carry 55 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia to Germany every year. Gazprom has put the total cost of the project at around $10 billion, with half coming from a consortium of European energy companies — Shell, Engie, OMV, Uniper and Wintershall Holding. Gazprom is 51% shareholder in the Swiss-based company Nord Stream AG, which manages the pipeline construction. The pipeline runs parallel to the existing Nord Stream which came online in 2012. When operational, it will take the combined capacity of the pipelines running directly between Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea to 110 billion cubic meters — or more than half of Gazprom’s total current gas exports to Europe.
Gazprom
In 2019, Gazprom exported 199 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe according to the company’s website. Around two thirds of the total capacity is through land pipe networks which run through Ukraine or Belarus — countries which take substantial transit fees for the use of their networks. From Germany, the gas could then be transported around Europe through existing infrastructure. At current price forecasts and operating at full capacity, Nord Stream 2 would pipe around $10 billion worth of Russian gas to Europe every year. Construction is currently frozen with around 94% of the pipeline complete — the entire route except from a short section through Danish waters. Why is it controversial? The project has proved controversial from the start — like the first Nord Stream link when it was proposed more than a decade ago. Opponents say the project will increase Europe’s reliance on Russia for its energy needs, giving Moscow a strong lever of potential control over the continent. Countries across central and eastern Europe have opposed the pipeline for years. In 2016, eight EU leaders wrote to the European Commission against the initiative, saying it posed “energy security risks” to the EU. More recently, the U.S. has become one of Nord Stream 2’s fiercest opponents. President Donald Trump said of the pipeline: “it’s a horrible thing what Germany is doing. Germany is a captive of Russia.” U.S. ambassadors across Europe have been fiercely lobbying against the initiative both publicly and privately. In an open letter, U.S. envoys to Germany, Denmark and Brussels said recently: “The Nord Stream 2 pipeline will heighten Europe’s susceptibility to Russia’s energy blackmail tactics.”
Another form of criticism is the impact the project will have on Ukraine — where gas transit fees make up 3% of the country’s GDP. A U.S. State Department fact sheet explaining its opposition to the project states: “Nord Stream 2 is a tool Russia is using to support its continued aggression against Ukraine ... Nord Stream 2 would enable Russia to bypass Ukraine for gas transit to Europe, which would deprive Ukraine of substantial transit revenues and increase its vulnerability to Russian aggression.” In the most extreme version, some fear Russia could use the threat — or actuality — of turning off the taps to exert political or economic pressure on the EU or governments across Europe. In a bid to stop the project, the U.S. has levied a number of sanctions against its construction, including banning high-tech western vessels from laying pipes. That has pushed back construction, with a final section through Danish waters yet to be built. Russia insists it will be completed, although it would not come online before next year. Germany said it rejected “the imposition of extraterritorial sanctions” as a matter of principle. What do its supporters say? Before the Navalny poisoning, Germany had steadfastly tried to keep the issue of Nord Stream 2 separate from the rest of its Russia policy, including the war in eastern Ukraine, allegations of election interference and cyberattacks, the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in the U.K. and a general deterioration of Moscow’s relations with the west. Merkel has previously rejected the idea that Nord Stream 2 poses a risk to energy security, and insisted the driving force behind the pipeline was economic — reducing the price Europe pays Russia for gas while it embarks on its decades-long energy transition towards cleaner sources of fuel. Analysts also suspect commercial interests behind America’s opposition. Namely, a desire to sell more expensive liquified natural gas (LNG) to Europe. Since Europe already buys around 40% of its gas from Russia, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is more about the delivery mechanism than overall reliance on Russia, advocates say. Besides, given tensions between Kiev and Moscow, heavy reliance on transit through Ukraine could be a form of instability, with Russia just as able — and perhaps more likely — to disrupt supply through that pipeline, as it did in 2009. How does the Navalny poisoning affect Nord Stream 2? Germany’s confirmation that Navalny was poisoned by Novichok — a controlled chemical weapon — has added new fuel to the campaign against Nord Stream 2. The usual voices of opposition have doubled down on their criticism, insisting Germany rethink the project. But new voices from inside Germany have also come out against the pipeline. “This openly attempted murder through the Kremlin’s mafia-like structures should not just worry us but needs to have real consequences. Nord Stream 2 is no longer something we can jointly pursue with Russia” said Katrin Göring-Eckardt, the co-chair of Germany’s Green Party, which is second in the polls to Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU), in the Bundestag as cited by The Guardian.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-08--Russia Says Ready to Help Ease Tensions in East Mediterranean

`` Russia considers that any further escalation would be unacceptable and calls on all parties to settle all conflicts exclusively through dialogue and on the basis of International law , '' Lavrov said .
Moscow is prepared to help ease tensions in the eastern Mediterranean where Cyprus and Greece are embroiled in a standoff with Turkey over maritime and energy rights , visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday .
`` We are ready to provide assistance to set up this dialogue if asked by the parties . ''
Tensions are running high over Turkey 's maritime drilling activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violate their sovereignty .
Turkey as well as Greece , Cyprus , France and Italy have recently staged military exercises , heightening fears the standoff could accidentally tip into conflict .
Lavrov was in Nicosia and met President Nicos Anastasiades to mark 60 years of Cyprus ' independence and bilateral relations with Russia .
But Russia 's top diplomat also used the occasion to take a swipe at U.S. influence in the region , calling it an `` outside player . ''
`` There are other issues of concern to us about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the United States which is trying to create ( dividing ) lines and contribute to conflicts rather than peaceful solutions , '' Lavrov said .
`` This is a really sad fact because in the Eastern Mediterranean other approaches are needed , peaceful ways of promoting interests . ''
Although Lavrov did not elaborate , the comments come after Washington partially lifted a 33-year arms embargo on Cyprus .
This is part of a wider partnership to promote closer energy and security ties between Washington and Cyprus , Greece and Israel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ praised the `` positive '' move by the United States to allow sales of non-lethal military equipment .
He rebuffed however a request from U.S. ambassador Judith Garber to deny Russian military vessels access to Cypriot ports for refueling and other services .
As a small country still under occupation , Cyprus has to maintain `` excellent relations with all permanent members of the UN Security Council , '' he insisted .
Such visits by military vessels `` are always welcome for as long as they are not using any of our ports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 , when Turkey occupied its northern third in response to a coup engineered by the military junta then ruling in Athens that sought to unite the island with Greece .
The breakaway part declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , but it is only recognized by Ankara .
Decades of stop-start talks , mostly under UN auspices , have failed to achieve reconciliation .

"Russia considers that any further escalation would be unacceptable and calls on all parties to settle all conflicts exclusively through dialogue and on the basis of International law," Lavrov said.
Moscow is prepared to help ease tensions in the eastern Mediterranean where Cyprus and Greece are embroiled in a standoff with Turkey over maritime and energy rights, visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
"We are ready to provide assistance to set up this dialogue if asked by the parties."
Tensions are running high over Turkey's maritime drilling activities which Cyprus and its ally Greece say violate their sovereignty.
Turkey as well as Greece, Cyprus, France and Italy have recently staged military exercises, heightening fears the standoff could accidentally tip into conflict.
Lavrov was in Nicosia and met President Nicos Anastasiades to mark 60 years of Cyprus' independence and bilateral relations with Russia.
But Russia's top diplomat also used the occasion to take a swipe at U.S. influence in the region, calling it an "outside player."
"There are other issues of concern to us about the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean ... such as the United States which is trying to create (dividing) lines and contribute to conflicts rather than peaceful solutions," Lavrov said.
"This is a really sad fact because in the Eastern Mediterranean other approaches are needed, peaceful ways of promoting interests."
Although Lavrov did not elaborate, the comments come after Washington partially lifted a 33-year arms embargo on Cyprus.
This is part of a wider partnership to promote closer energy and security ties between Washington and Cyprus, Greece and Israel.
Anastasiades in an AFP interview last week praised the "positive" move by the United States to allow sales of non-lethal military equipment.
He rebuffed however a request from U.S. ambassador Judith Garber to deny Russian military vessels access to Cypriot ports for refueling and other services.
As a small country still under occupation, Cyprus has to maintain "excellent relations with all permanent members of the UN Security Council," he insisted.
Such visits by military vessels "are always welcome for as long as they are not using any of our ports to attack our neighbors," he said.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey occupied its northern third in response to a coup engineered by the military junta then ruling in Athens that sought to unite the island with Greece.
The breakaway part declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, but it is only recognized by Ankara. Decades of stop-start talks, mostly under UN auspices, have failed to achieve reconciliation.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-08--Belarus Leader Admits to Staying ‘Too Long’ in Power in Russian State TV Interview

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday that his 26 years in office may have been excessive , but vowed to maintain his grip on power despite widespread protests against his rule .
Lukashenko ’ s rare admission has been a rallying cry for hundreds of thousands of demonstrators who flooded the streets of Belarusian cities for the past month to protest his disputed election victory that handed him a sixth presidential term .
“ I may have stayed [ in power ] a little too long , ” Lukashenko told four journalists from Russian state-run media in his first interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one of the journalists ' descriptions of the interview .
“ But only I can really protect Belarusians now , ” Lukashenko was quoted by the journalist as saying .
Another Russian journalist who interviewed him said that Lukashenko vowed to stay in power , quoting him as saying : “ I ’ m not gon na leave just like that .
I ’ ve built up Belarus for a quarter-century , I won ’ t just give it up.
” “ Besides , if I leave , my supporters will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Anti-Lukashenko protests since the disputed Aug. 9 vote have been largely peaceful , with the days immediately following the election marked by widespread violent detentions and torture of protesters .
Lukashenko admitted “ excesses ” during the authorities ' “ initial hotheadedness ” but defended the riot police ’ s behavior during what he said was their “ defense of the country from Blitzkrieg.
” Lukashenko didn ’ t rule out early elections after constitutional reforms he had promised in the wake of the protests , the state-run RIA Novosti news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automatic rifle outside his cordoned-off residence in Minsk while more than 100,000 people gathered nearby in late August , Lukashenko said : “ It meant only one thing : I haven ’ t fled and I ’ m ready to defend my country to the end.
” The set-piece interview took place a week after reports said that Belarusian state television replaced its striking journalists and technical personnel with those from the Kremlin-funded RT broadcaster .
RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan was among the four Russian journalists to interview Lukashenko .
The 66-year-old ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he acknowledged Belarus ’ “ somewhat authoritarian system ” he has overseen since coming to power in the ex-Soviet state in 1994 .

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday that his 26 years in office may have been excessive, but vowed to maintain his grip on power despite widespread protests against his rule. Lukashenko’s rare admission has been a rallying cry for hundreds of thousands of demonstrators who flooded the streets of Belarusian cities for the past month to protest his disputed election victory that handed him a sixth presidential term.
Arm in arm.
Alexander Lukashenko poses with the Russian state media representatives called in from Moscow to conduct his first interview since presidential elections in Belarus a month ago. pic.twitter.com/Wy0nN6jQnC — Sarah Rainsford (@sarahrainsford) September 8, 2020
“I may have stayed [in power] a little too long,” Lukashenko told four journalists from Russian state-run media in his first interview since the Aug. 9 vote, according to one of the journalists' descriptions of the interview. “But only I can really protect Belarusians now,” Lukashenko was quoted by the journalist as saying. Another Russian journalist who interviewed him said that Lukashenko vowed to stay in power, quoting him as saying: “I’m not gonna leave just like that. I’ve built up Belarus for a quarter-century, I won’t just give it up.” “Besides, if I leave, my supporters will be slaughtered,” Lukashenko claimed without evidence.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-08--Belarus Opposition Figure Detained at Ukraine Border

Kolesnikova played a major role in the campaign of opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who claimed victory over President Alexander Lukashenko in a disputed election last month , and has since spoken at huge protests against his rule .
Belarus said Tuesday that a leading opposition figure , Maria Kolesnikova , had been detained while trying to cross the Ukrainian border , but Kiev said she was being held after resisting a forced deportation .
Tikhanovskaya on Tuesday called for Kolesnikova to be `` freed immediately . ''
`` By kidnapping people in broad daylight , Lukashenko is showing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement from Lithuania , where she has taken refuge .
Anton Bychkovsky , a spokesman for the State Border Committee , told AFP that Kolesnikova was being held and `` an investigation is under way to legally assess the situation . ''
The high-profile activist went missing on Monday , with witnesses saying she was bundled into a minibus on the street in the capital Minsk .
Kolesnikova 's detention removes one of the strongest opposition speakers who had insisted she would not leave Belarus voluntarily .
It came as Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to broadcast a set-piece interview with Lukashenko .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed kidnapping `` can not in any way be justified '' but denied Belarus has political prisoners , in comments to journalists .
Belarusian border guards said Kolesnikova had attempted to flee across the border at around 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday along with two other members of the opposition 's Coordination Council , press secretary Anton Rodnenkov and executive secretary Ivan Kravtsov .
Belarus said the BMW car they were traveling in speeded up at the border and Kolesnikova was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' while this was not visible in televised footage .
State television showed a video statement by Kravtsov , claiming it was found on a cellphone left at the border .
`` I took the decision to leave the country , '' Kravtsov said , adding he planned to cross with Kolesnikova .
It was unclear under what circumstances the video had been filmed .
Ukraine confirmed that Kravtsov and Rodnenkov had crossed the border but gave a different account of events , saying Kolesnikova had resisted moves to force her to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voluntary departure .
It was forced deportation , '' Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko wrote on Facebook .
He said Kolesnikova `` took actions '' to prevent her leaving .
The Interfax-Ukraine news agency cited a source as saying she tore up her passport .
The Coordination Council was set up to ensure a peaceful transfer of power after Tikhanovskaya rejected Lukashenko 's claim to have won the Aug. 9 presidential election with 80 % of the vote .
The authorities have tried to stop the Coordination Council from working by detaining activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kolesnikova , 38 , is the only one of the trio of women who fronted Tikhanovskaya 's campaign to remain in Belarus .
Tikhanovskaya left the country under pressure from the authorities and was granted refuge in EU member state Lithuania , while her other campaign partner , Veronika Tsepkalo , is now in Ukraine .
Police in Belarus have been intensifying efforts to crack down on the opposition , with more than 600 people arrested on Sunday during the latest in a series of huge weekend protests against Lukashenko .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of the vote and warned of sanctions against those involved in the election and violence against protesters .
Thousands of demonstrators were detained in the days after the vote with many accusing police of beatings and torture .
Kolesnikova and other members of the Council including Nobel Literature Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich have faced questioning over an alleged bid to seize power .
Kolesnikova , a professional flutist , got into politics by running the campaign of another opposition politician , ex-banker Viktor Babaryko , who attempted to stand for president against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running .

Kolesnikova played a major role in the campaign of opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory over President Alexander Lukashenko in a disputed election last month, and has since spoken at huge protests against his rule.
Belarus said Tuesday that a leading opposition figure, Maria Kolesnikova, had been detained while trying to cross the Ukrainian border, but Kiev said she was being held after resisting a forced deportation.
Tikhanovskaya on Tuesday called for Kolesnikova to be "freed immediately."
"By kidnapping people in broad daylight, Lukashenko is showing his weakness and fear," she said in a statement from Lithuania, where she has taken refuge.
Anton Bychkovsky, a spokesman for the State Border Committee, told AFP that Kolesnikova was being held and "an investigation is under way to legally assess the situation."
The high-profile activist went missing on Monday, with witnesses saying she was bundled into a minibus on the street in the capital Minsk.
Kolesnikova's detention removes one of the strongest opposition speakers who had insisted she would not leave Belarus voluntarily.
It came as Russian state media including Kremlin-funded RT were due to broadcast a set-piece interview with Lukashenko.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed kidnapping "cannot in any way be justified" but denied Belarus has political prisoners, in comments to journalists.
Belarusian border guards said Kolesnikova had attempted to flee across the border at around 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday along with two other members of the opposition's Coordination Council, press secretary Anton Rodnenkov and executive secretary Ivan Kravtsov.
'Tore up passport'
Belarus said the BMW car they were traveling in speeded up at the border and Kolesnikova was "practically pushed out of the vehicle," while this was not visible in televised footage.
State television showed a video statement by Kravtsov, claiming it was found on a cellphone left at the border.
"I took the decision to leave the country," Kravtsov said, adding he planned to cross with Kolesnikova. It was unclear under what circumstances the video had been filmed.
Ukraine confirmed that Kravtsov and Rodnenkov had crossed the border but gave a different account of events, saying Kolesnikova had resisted moves to force her to leave Belarus.
"This was not a voluntary departure. It was forced deportation," Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko wrote on Facebook.
He said Kolesnikova "took actions" to prevent her leaving. The Interfax-Ukraine news agency cited a source as saying she tore up her passport.
The Coordination Council was set up to ensure a peaceful transfer of power after Tikhanovskaya rejected Lukashenko's claim to have won the Aug. 9 presidential election with 80% of the vote.
The authorities have tried to stop the Coordination Council from working by detaining activists and forcing them to leave the country.
Kolesnikova, 38, is the only one of the trio of women who fronted Tikhanovskaya's campaign to remain in Belarus.
Tikhanovskaya left the country under pressure from the authorities and was granted refuge in EU member state Lithuania, while her other campaign partner, Veronika Tsepkalo, is now in Ukraine.
Intensifying crackdown
Police in Belarus have been intensifying efforts to crack down on the opposition, with more than 600 people arrested on Sunday during the latest in a series of huge weekend protests against Lukashenko.
The European Union has refused to recognize the results of the vote and warned of sanctions against those involved in the election and violence against protesters.
Thousands of demonstrators were detained in the days after the vote with many accusing police of beatings and torture.
Kolesnikova and other members of the Council including Nobel Literature Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich have faced questioning over an alleged bid to seize power.
Kolesnikova, a professional flutist, got into politics by running the campaign of another opposition politician, ex-banker Viktor Babaryko, who attempted to stand for president against Lukashenko but was jailed and barred from running.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-08--Russian ‘Cossacks’ Hunt Down LGBT Youth During Pride Week

The group briefly detained at least one “ absolutely heterosexual ” student because he had dyed hair and wore an earring , according to the e1.ru news website .
Dozens of men in Cossack military uniforms have been filmed patrolling the streets of Russia ’ s fourth-largest city of Yekaterinburg during its Pride Week , local media reported Monday .
“ Why ’ d you dress up like this ?
Are you one of them ?
” the student recounted one of the Cossacks as saying to him .
“ Do you even know that we control the propaganda of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have used a 2013 law banning `` propaganda '' of gay relationships toward minors as justification for banning gay pride events and prosecuting LGBT activists .
The student , 19-year-old Alexander Zinovyev , fired back at the Cossacks and defended his right to dress as he pleases , writing “ stop harassing us , mind your own business !
” “ The LGBT topic isn ’ t that interesting to me , ” Zinovyev wrote in an article for e1.ru .
“ I just think it has nothing to do with me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ural Pride Week 's first day was also marred when organizers were forced to cancel a tour of Yekaterinburg ’ s “ queer places , ” e1.ru reported .
Prosecutors have warned the event 's organizers against violating the `` gay propaganda '' law during their festivities .
“ We ’ ll be checking how the LGBT movement representatives comply with Russian legislation , ” Oleg Bogunevich , the deputy head of a local Cossack organization , told the Ura.ru news website .
Around 50 Cossacks were involved in the anti-LGBT patrols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT activists have organized a rival “ traditional values ” week that includes a family parade and an Orthodox Christian fair .
The patrols come after Russia adopted a set of wide-ranging constitutional changes , one of which adds language defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman to the Constitution .

The group briefly detained at least one “absolutely heterosexual” student because he had dyed hair and wore an earring, according to the e1.ru news website.
Dozens of men in Cossack military uniforms have been filmed patrolling the streets of Russia’s fourth-largest city of Yekaterinburg during its Pride Week, local media reported Monday.
“Why’d you dress up like this? Are you one of them?” the student recounted one of the Cossacks as saying to him. “Do you even know that we control the propaganda of gayness among the people?”
Russian officials have used a 2013 law banning "propaganda" of gay relationships toward minors as justification for banning gay pride events and prosecuting LGBT activists.
The student, 19-year-old Alexander Zinovyev, fired back at the Cossacks and defended his right to dress as he pleases, writing “stop harassing us, mind your own business!”
“The LGBT topic isn’t that interesting to me,” Zinovyev wrote in an article for e1.ru. “I just think it has nothing to do with me. Or so I thought, rather.”
Ural Pride Week's first day was also marred when organizers were forced to cancel a tour of Yekaterinburg’s “queer places,” e1.ru reported.
Prosecutors have warned the event's organizers against violating the "gay propaganda" law during their festivities.
“We’ll be checking how the LGBT movement representatives comply with Russian legislation,” Oleg Bogunevich, the deputy head of a local Cossack organization, told the Ura.ru news website.
Around 50 Cossacks were involved in the anti-LGBT patrols, it reported.
Opponents of the LGBT activists have organized a rival “traditional values” week that includes a family parade and an Orthodox Christian fair.
The patrols come after Russia adopted a set of wide-ranging constitutional changes, one of which adds language defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman to the Constitution.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-08--Russian Actor Yefremov Jailed for Fatal Car Crash

Mikhail Yefremov , a well-known Russian actor who cultivated an image of a jolly drunk throughout his 30-year career , was sentenced to eight years in jail Tuesday for driving drunk and killing a van driver in a head-on crash this summer .
Yefremov ’ s jailing follows a whirlwind trial over the June 8 crash in central Moscow that received widespread coverage in the Russian media .
The Presnensky District Court in central Moscow found Yefremov guilty and sentenced him to eight years in prison , the state-run TASS news agency reported .
“ Yefremov committed a traffic accident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which caused a person ’ s death by negligence , ” judge Yelena Abramova said , according to Interfax .
Prosecutors had sought an 11-year jail sentence for the killing of van driver Sergei Zakharov .
Security camera footage showed Yefremov ’ s SUV driving into oncoming traffic and crashing into Zakharov ’ s work van on the Garden Ring thoroughfare near the Russian Foreign Ministry building .
Eyewitnesses filmed the drunk Yefremov stumbling out of the SUV visibly unscathed .
Yefremov ’ s fans gathered outside the courthouse , chanting “ Mikhail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other cultural figures broke through the crowd to attend the sentencing hearing .
Yefremov had changed his account of events multiple times during the trial , at one point claiming to have lost his memory and alleging that he may have been in the passenger seat on the night of the crash .

Mikhail Yefremov, a well-known Russian actor who cultivated an image of a jolly drunk throughout his 30-year career, was sentenced to eight years in jail Tuesday for driving drunk and killing a van driver in a head-on crash this summer. Yefremov’s jailing follows a whirlwind trial over the June 8 crash in central Moscow that received widespread coverage in the Russian media.
news Popular Russian Actor Faces 12 Years in Jail for Fatal DUI Crash Read more
The Presnensky District Court in central Moscow found Yefremov guilty and sentenced him to eight years in prison, the state-run TASS news agency reported. “Yefremov committed a traffic accident in a state of alcoholic intoxication, which caused a person’s death by negligence,” judge Yelena Abramova said, according to Interfax. Prosecutors had sought an 11-year jail sentence for the killing of van driver Sergei Zakharov. Security camera footage showed Yefremov’s SUV driving into oncoming traffic and crashing into Zakharov’s work van on the Garden Ring thoroughfare near the Russian Foreign Ministry building. Eyewitnesses filmed the drunk Yefremov stumbling out of the SUV visibly unscathed.
«Миша, театр с тобой!»: Михаила Ефремова привезли в суд. Видео: @MBKhMedia pic.twitter.com/eTWXlRJEUQ — МБХ Медиа (@MBKhMedia) September 8, 2020


themoscowtimes--2020-09-08--Russia Begins Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout

Its developer has said that a yearlong mass vaccination campaign would begin as soon as the Sputnik V vaccine entered civil circulation .
Russia has begun releasing its coronavirus vaccine to the general public , the Health Ministry announced Tuesday as developers prepare to conduct large-scale clinical trials while administering the shot to civilians .
“ The first batch of the Gam-COVID-Vac ( Sputnik V ) vaccine … passed the needed quality tests … and was released into civil circulation , ” the Health Ministry said .
“ First batches of the vaccine are expected to be delivered to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it added without specifying numbers .
Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Monday that the first deliveries of Sputnik V would be “ small for the time being.
” He had previously said that the adenovirus-based vector vaccine would first be shipped to health workers and teachers .
The ministry ’ s announcement follows a flurry of reports saying that several high-level Russian government officials have received the Sputnik V vaccine and made public appearances in good health .
The state-run Gamaleya epidemiology and microbiology research center that developed Sputnik V has estimated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doses to achieve mass immunity .
Gamaleya said earlier that 25,000 out of the needed 40,000 volunteers have been recruited to take part in Phase 3 trials .
Ten thousand of them will receive placebos in the double-blind trial .
Russia has officially reported more than 1 million coronavirus infections and almost 18,000 deaths since recording its first case in March .
It is one of several countries racing to develop a safe and effective vaccine against Covid-19 .
Recently published peer-reviewed research into early clinical trials said that Sputnik V did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that longer trials are needed to establish its effectiveness .
More than 20 countries have requested over 1 billion doses of Russia ’ s vaccine despite safety concerns raised by health experts .

Its developer has said that a yearlong mass vaccination campaign would begin as soon as the Sputnik V vaccine entered civil circulation.
Russia has begun releasing its coronavirus vaccine to the general public, the Health Ministry announced Tuesday as developers prepare to conduct large-scale clinical trials while administering the shot to civilians.
“The first batch of the Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) vaccine … passed the needed quality tests … and was released into civil circulation,” the Health Ministry said.
“First batches of the vaccine are expected to be delivered to the regions in the near future,” it added without specifying numbers.
Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Monday that the first deliveries of Sputnik V would be “small for the time being.” He had previously said that the adenovirus-based vector vaccine would first be shipped to health workers and teachers.
The ministry’s announcement follows a flurry of reports saying that several high-level Russian government officials have received the Sputnik V vaccine and made public appearances in good health.
The state-run Gamaleya epidemiology and microbiology research center that developed Sputnik V has estimated that it would need to produce 80 million doses to achieve mass immunity.
Gamaleya said earlier that 25,000 out of the needed 40,000 volunteers have been recruited to take part in Phase 3 trials. Ten thousand of them will receive placebos in the double-blind trial.
Russia has officially reported more than 1 million coronavirus infections and almost 18,000 deaths since recording its first case in March. It is one of several countries racing to develop a safe and effective vaccine against Covid-19.
Recently published peer-reviewed research into early clinical trials said that Sputnik V did not cause serious adverse effects in patients but noted that longer trials are needed to establish its effectiveness.
More than 20 countries have requested over 1 billion doses of Russia’s vaccine despite safety concerns raised by health experts.