UK expands sanctions, Japan declares not to withdraw from joint gas project with Russia

In the list punish Russia Britain’s newest has General Mikhail, head of the Defense Control Center Russia, Gazprom-Media CEO Alexander Zharov, RT television system CEO Alexey Nikolov and head of the international television channel Sputnik International. Sergei Brilyov, a popular Russian TV presenter, is also on the sanctions list.

Earlier, the European Union (EU) announced that Russia’s state media channels RT and Sputnik were banned from broadcasting in this bloc.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law punishing the spread of “fake news” about the activities of the Russian military and any state agencies abroad. The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Western media of launching a disinformation campaign about Russia of an “unprecedented” level after the country launched a special military operation in Russia. Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Japan has no plans to withdraw from a joint gas project with Russia despite Tokyo joining the West in imposing heavy sanctions on Moscow. This is the statement of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on March 31.

Japan announced that it would not withdraw from the joint gas project with Russia. (Photo: Kyodo)

Japan, a country with limited energy resources, which is struggling to balance its need for fossil fuels and its hardline stance towards Russia, is also facing the question of whether to continue participating in the deal. Sakhalin-2 project or not.

However, Prime Minister Kishida said that the Sakhalin-2 project with Russia provides a stable, cheap and long-term supply of liquefied petroleum gas for Japan. This is a very important project for Japan’s energy security, he affirmed, so Tokyo has no plans to withdraw from this project.

Despite the decision, Japan vowed to continue its efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy sources.

After Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, British oil company Shell said it would sell a 27.5% stake in the Sakhalin-2 project in Russia’s Far East.

Japan’s Mitsui Corporation holds a 12.5% ​​stake in this project and Mitsubishi Corporation has 10%. Meanwhile, Russia’s Gazprom holds a 50% stake in the Sakhalin-2 project.

Japan is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, in part because many of its nuclear reactors have been shut down since the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2011. Russia is supplying more than 8% of Japan’s LNG needs.

* Invite readers to watch programs broadcast by Vietnam Television on TV Online and VTVGo!