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Nord Stream 2 to remain profitable despite sanctions, Moscow says

The success in implementing the Nord Stream 2 project will depend in the first instance on the political will of Europeans and their ability to cope with the US pressure, rather than on economic indicators, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said

MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will remain an economically sound project owing to Europe’s need for Russian energy resources, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in an interview with First Deputy Director-General of TASS Mikhail Gusman.

"Both the TurkStream and the Nord Stream 2 are economically feasible projects. They will not be present at all if there is no economic aspect in these projects," Grushko said, responding to the question whether the projects will remain profitable in the conditions of US sanctions. "Such economic feasibility is not our estimates alone but this is also the demand of the states interested in receiving Russian gas safely and on a long-term basis," the diplomat said.

Although EU countries set the goal of abandoning hydrocarbons use by 2050, the forecast demand for the Russian gas on the European market will remain at the current level by 2030, Grushko said. The Russian gas currently accounts for 40% of gas consumption in Europe; at the same time, diversification of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies is underway in the EU, including higher imports from the US.

"However, it is characteristic that the share of our LNG is growing at a quick pace. Therefore, grounds are in place to believe that these projects will remain economically feasible from the standpoint of gas demands for the foreseeable future, which is related to the payback of projects you have mentioned," Grushko said.

The success in implementing the Nord Stream 2 project will depend in the first instance on the political will of Europeans and their ability to cope with the US pressure, rather than on economic indicators, the diplomat added.

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North Korea conducts new anti-aircraft missile test — KCNA

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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Water level of Ishim River in Russia’s Tyumen Region surpasses dangerous mark

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Russia’s defense chief inspects production of tanks, flamethrowers at Siberian enterprise

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Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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China’s Russian oil imports rise by 13% in first quarter of 2024 — customs

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Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian prosecutor general

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Russian economy proves resilience amid large-scale sanctions — IMF

The IMF states that the restrictions led to the need to rebuild the economy

Ukrainian drone damages energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kaluga Region

There are no casualties, Governor Vladislav Shapsha said

Russian government increases customs duties on beer from unfriendly countries

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CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

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Vladimir Saldo called on other Ukrainian servicemen to switch to the Russian side and request the corresponding assistance

World’s anti-doping agency WADA still waits for Russia’s 2023 financial contribution

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said in February that the Russian side had agreed with WADA to pay the membership fee for the year of 2023

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Israeli aviation strikes towns in Gaza Strip

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Russian defense chief checks implementation of orders to develop drones

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Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

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Russia ready for Ukraine talks, but not with Zelensky — Lavrov

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Fox News said the Jewish state delivered a limited strike on Iran

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Ivan Paskar is charged with illegally transporting explosive substances, but he does not recognize his guilt

Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

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NATO discussing transfer of ‘deep precision strike capabilities’ to Ukraine — Stoltenberg

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West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

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Ukrainian POW exposes poor battlefield performance of NATO-supplied Javelins, NLAWs

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Lavrov says Borrell let it slip that Europe ‘fighting against Russia’

Russia’s top diplomat noted that Josep Borrell may made the statement in a moment of weakness

FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Iran threatens to attack Israel's "nuclear centers" in case of aggression on its part

Ahmad Haqtalab argued that Israel had been conducting "subversive and terrorist activities" against the Islamic republic's nuclear infrastructure for year

Air defenses repel Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Smolensk Region — governor

Vasily Anokhin urged local residents to remain calm and refrain from filming air defenses in operation.

Moscow International Film Festival kicks off

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