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Reposted by Anton Barbashin

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 12d

"Maintaining current sluggish sanctions course could lead to preservation of Kremlin’s confidence in controlling the situation both domestically and in foreign policy, as well as to a gradual US withdrawal from the anti-Russian coalition"
ridl.io/sanctions-de...

Sanctions Dead End? – Riddle Russia

Vladislav Inozemtsev on why we shouldn

ridl.io

2 5

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 8h

The increase of Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries makes Russia export more crude oil that India then refines and exports to the European Union:
In September EU imported record amount of diesel from India

3 8

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 9h

Since August, Russia lost about 25% of oil refinery capacities.

2 19

Reposted by Anton Barbashin

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 1d

Technically speaking, there is a way for EU to make use of frozen Russian assets without confiscating them - it demands coordination and intra-EU unity. Will they go for it?
ridl.io/frozen-russi...

Frozen Russian Assets: From Calls for Confiscation to a Reparations Loan – Riddle Russia

Alexey Uvarov on how to seize Russian assets without actually confiscating them

ridl.io

1 6 17

Reposted by Anton Barbashin

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 1d

One might imagine that, with many regime critics, expelled from Russia—amid the proclaimed "support for the regime"—the Kremlin wouldn't need to manipulate the election results much. On the contrary, it has to rig them like never before.
ridl.io/political-fi...

Political Fixers: How Russia’s Election Results Get Cooked – Riddle Russia

Ksenia Smolakova on the art of rigging outcomes—even in elections that were never free to begin with

ridl.io

9 18

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 1d

One might imagine that, with many regime critics, expelled from Russia—amid the proclaimed "support for the regime"—the Kremlin wouldn't need to manipulate the election results much. On the contrary, it has to rig them like never before.
ridl.io/political-fi...

Political Fixers: How Russia’s Election Results Get Cooked – Riddle Russia

Ksenia Smolakova on the art of rigging outcomes—even in elections that were never free to begin with

ridl.io

9 18

Reposted by Anton Barbashin

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 5d

I don't know how much you are following Russian opposition internal fighting but they are at it again.
Here are two pieces about the general attitudes towards "Team Navalny" and "Team Khodorkovsky"
The bottom line is - event their followers are tired of this infighting
1/2

2 5 15

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 1d

Technically speaking, there is a way for EU to make use of frozen Russian assets without confiscating them - it demands coordination and intra-EU unity. Will they go for it?
ridl.io/frozen-russi...

Frozen Russian Assets: From Calls for Confiscation to a Reparations Loan – Riddle Russia

Alexey Uvarov on how to seize Russian assets without actually confiscating them

ridl.io

1 6 17

Reposted by Anton Barbashin

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 5d

Despite its grievances, Tehran will have to maintain and develop ties with Moscow in the near future. One can debate how and why Iran ended up in this situation but with so few foreign policy partners, Iran cannot afford to break with Russia
ridl.io/discontent-a...

Discontent Amid Despair – Riddle Russia

Nikita Smagin on Why Tehran Accuses Moscow of Aiding Israel

ridl.io

4 14

Reposted by Anton Barbashin

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 4d

By making people pay for what used to be «free» services, the Kremlin is rewriting the social contract. Even in the brutal 1990s, the authorities shied away from measures this unpopular.
Yet another #war bill
ridl.io/the-broken-s...

The Broken Social Contract – Riddle Russia

Andrey Pertsev sums up the political week (October 6−10)

ridl.io

2 7

Reposted by Anton Barbashin

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 4d

Can EU make use of frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine without actually confiscating the funds and risking loss of trust in euro and international law?
@aivengo96.bsky.social explains
ridl.io/frozen-russi...

Frozen Russian Assets: From Calls for Confiscation to a Reparations Loan – Riddle Russia

Alexey Uvarov on how to seize Russian assets without actually confiscating them

ridl.io

2 3 10

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 4d

Can EU make use of frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine without actually confiscating the funds and risking loss of trust in euro and international law?
@aivengo96.bsky.social explains
ridl.io/frozen-russi...

Frozen Russian Assets: From Calls for Confiscation to a Reparations Loan – Riddle Russia

Alexey Uvarov on how to seize Russian assets without actually confiscating them

ridl.io

2 3 10

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 4d

By making people pay for what used to be «free» services, the Kremlin is rewriting the social contract. Even in the brutal 1990s, the authorities shied away from measures this unpopular.
Yet another #war bill
ridl.io/the-broken-s...

The Broken Social Contract – Riddle Russia

Andrey Pertsev sums up the political week (October 6−10)

ridl.io

2 7

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 5d

1. Russian Opposition in the Eyes of Russians in Russia and Abroad: The Case of Anti-Corruption Foundation
ridl.io/russian-oppo...
2. The Russian Opposition in the Eyes of Russians in Russia and Abroad: Mikhail Khodorkovsky
ridl.io/the-russian-...
2/2

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Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 5d

I don't know how much you are following Russian opposition internal fighting but they are at it again.
Here are two pieces about the general attitudes towards "Team Navalny" and "Team Khodorkovsky"
The bottom line is - event their followers are tired of this infighting
1/2

2 5 15

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 5d

Despite its grievances, Tehran will have to maintain and develop ties with Moscow in the near future. One can debate how and why Iran ended up in this situation but with so few foreign policy partners, Iran cannot afford to break with Russia
ridl.io/discontent-a...

Discontent Amid Despair – Riddle Russia

Nikita Smagin on Why Tehran Accuses Moscow of Aiding Israel

ridl.io

4 14

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 5d

Putin talked to Azerbaijan’s Aliyev. Kind of apologised for downing Azeri plane 10 months ago.
This could be treated as conflict resolved.
Given the circumstances neither party wanted this conflicted prolonged and escalated

8

Reposted by Anton Barbashin

ECFR @ecfr.eu · 5d

Putin's speech made clear Moscow’s support for Europe’s anti-establishment politicians who prioritise “national issues”, citing far-right parties in France and Germany, writes @abarbashin.bsky.social @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/46PIkhV

Enemy number one: What Putin’s foreign policy speech says about Europe

At this year’s Valdai club, Vladimir Putin gave his most anti-EU speech yet, citing his determination to see new anti-establishment politicians to come to power and improve Europe’s relations with…

bit.ly

5 4

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 5d

Oversimplifying but still.
Ukraine’s message to EU: support us now or Russia will attack Estonia
Russia’s message to EU: stop supporting Ukraine now or Russia will attack Estonia

8 18

Reposted by Anton Barbashin

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 8d

Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure no longer just "hurt" but causing some major problems for Russian economic management
ridl.io/down-to-bras...

Down to Brass Tax – Riddle Russia

Nicholas Trickett with the economic summary of the week (September 29 — October 3)

ridl.io

1 6 32

Reposted by Anton Barbashin

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 6d

Based on recent data, #China is now the biggest exporter of goods to Ukraine.
Nine out of ten imported #drones are of Chinese origin. How did this happen? Why can't Moscow do anything about it?
ridl.io/chinese-prag...

Chinese Pragmatism – Riddle Russia

Alexey Chigadaev on Why Russia Cannot Influence Chinese Drone Supplies to Ukraine

ridl.io

1 5 16

Reposted by Anton Barbashin

András Tóth-Czifra @minczifra.bsky.social · 6d

I wrote more about the sorry state of the waste reform and what it says about how policies are planned and executed in Russia, for Riddle in June.

ridl.io/rotten-found...

Rotten foundations – Riddle Russia

Andras Toth-Czifra on what the waste management reform says about the problems with Russian policymaking

ridl.io

1 1 4

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 6d

Based on recent data, #China is now the biggest exporter of goods to Ukraine.
Nine out of ten imported #drones are of Chinese origin. How did this happen? Why can't Moscow do anything about it?
ridl.io/chinese-prag...

Chinese Pragmatism – Riddle Russia

Alexey Chigadaev on Why Russia Cannot Influence Chinese Drone Supplies to Ukraine

ridl.io

1 5 16

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 6d

Crucial point - Russian MFA blames the EU for that

Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 6d

Russian MFA states that the possibility of peaceful end of Ukrainian war that emerged after Alaska is now dead.
What was known to many is now officially recognized by Russia

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Anton Barbashin @abarbashin.bsky.social · 6d

Russian MFA states that the possibility of peaceful end of Ukrainian war that emerged after Alaska is now dead.
What was known to many is now officially recognized by Russia

1 15