• Georgia closes its airspace to Syria

    Georgia closed its airspace to two Syrian airlines because of Syria’s recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as stated by the CEO of Sakaeronavigatsia (Georgian air traffic controller) Gocha Mezvrishvili, Interfax reports.

    He noted that the Georgian government, in connection with the decision of the Syrian leadership to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia , had already made the political decision to sever diplomatic relations with Syria. “ …

  • France drops charges against Russian oligarch Kerimov

    Russian billionaire and senator from Dagestan Suleyman Kerimov has been pardoned by the French justice system, and can leave his villa on the French Riviera, where he has been under house arrest since the end of last year.

    Kerimov, who was suspected of money laundering through a series of deals to purchase property in France, has had all the charges against him dropped, his attorney Nikita Sychev told Interfax. Kerimov’s passport will soon be returned to him, and he will be allowed to return …

  • Europe to abandon Russian Soyuz launch vehicles

    By 2023, Europe plans to stop using Russian Soyuz-ST launch vehicles for launches from the Kourou Space Center, RIA Novosti news agency reports with reference to a source in the European space industry.

    According to the source, Europeans will replace the Soyuz with their own carrier rocket, Ariane 6 that has two lateral accelerators. The source of RIA Novosti reports that the first launch of Ariane 6 is scheduled for July 16, 2020. The launch could be postponed for a year, and given the …

  • European Court of Human Rights combines proceedings against Russia on Crimea and Donbas

    The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has combined proceedings against the Russian Federation on the Crimea and the Donbas, stated Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister and Commissioner for the European Court of Human Rights Ivan Lishchyna.

    "The ECHR has agreed to our request and combined proceedings on intergovernmental allegations that Russia has violated [the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms] into two large [areas]: the Crimea and the Donbas. …

  • Polish PGNiG signs 20-year contracts for liquefied natural gas shipments from the USA

    Polish PGNiG has signed long-term contracts with two US companies for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the press service of the Polish company reported.

    Two PGNiG reports say that the companies involved are Port Arthur LNG and Venture Global LNG, which are currently working on the construction of gas liquefaction terminals on the Gulf of Mexico coast in Texas and Louisiana. The terminals are expected to begin operation in 2022 and 2023. Under the contact, each company is expected to …