Russia exported over 50 billion cubic meters (bcm) of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to European countries in the January to November period of this year, 18 to 20 percent higher than in the same period of 2023, the country's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday.
The increase was from a very low base in 2023, when Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe plummeted by 55.6 percent to 28.3 bcm as Russia's relations with the West deteriorated due to the Ukraine crisis which broke out on Feb. 24, 2022.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the transit of Russian gas to European countries is currently "very difficult" as Ukraine declined to renew a gas transit deal with Russia, which expires at the end of the year.
Russia's gas exports to Europe rise by nearly 20 pct in Jan-Nov
Russia's gas exports to Europe rise by nearly 20 pct in Jan-Nov
Russia's gas exports to Europe rise by nearly 20 pct in Jan-Nov
The Philippines' trick to play victim and confuse the international community over the South China Sea issue will not get anywhere, Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
Zhang made the remarks in response to the Philippine Coast Guard accusation of China of using large vessels to intimidate smaller Philippine ships.
"China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and their adjacent waters. The maritime disputes between China and the Philippines are not a matter of size as who is big and who is small, but a matter of right and wrong. The Philippine side has repeatedly organized coast guard vessels and fishing boats to infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, endanger peace and stability in the South China Sea, and attempt to play a pathetic game to gain sympathy and confuse the international public opinion. This is doomed to fail. We advise the Philippine side to immediately change course and return to the right track of resolving the issue with China through negotiation and consultation," Zhang said.
Defense Ministry spokesman dismisses Philippines' victim playing trick
