Page 31 - bne IntelliNews Country Report: Russia Dec17

deepwater, Arctic offshore and shale deposits. The ban earlier only applied to oil projects in Russian areas, but now will cover any oil venture launched after January 28, 2018 in which the Russian firms subject to this measure hold at least a one-third stake or majority of voting shares. In September, the US tightened financial sector sanctions on certain Russian firms shortening further maturities of allowed financing. The US treasury department recently also released a list of entities related to the defence and intelligence sectors of the Russian government as required by the Countering American Adversaries through Sanctions Act approved in August. Further sanctions are not imposed for the listed entities at the moment, but possible additional measures will be announced separately.
The "focus of implementation" of the latest round of US sanctions against Russia will not apply retroactively to the energy export pipeline projects initiated before August 2 2017, according to a guidance published by the US Department of State. The so-called "grandfather's clause" is a relief for major pipeline projects Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream of Russian gas giant Gazprom, which likely is a result of intense EU lobbying to soften the US stance, analysts surveyed by RBC and Kommersant daily on November 3 believe. In July, Gazprom warned investors that Nord Stream 2 and the Turkish Stream pipeline now under construction across the Black Sea could be "delayed or prevented from being finished" by the new sanctions.
The "focus of implementation" of the latest round of US sanctions against Russia will not apply retroactively to the energy export pipeline projects initiated before August 2 2017, according to a guidance published by the US Department of State. The so-called "grandfather's clause" is a relief for major pipeline projects Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream of Russian gas giant Gazprom, which likely is a result of intense EU lobbying to soften the US stance, analysts surveyed by RBC and Kommersant daily on November 3 believe.
A journalist became the second woman to enter Russia’s presidential race . Mother-of-two Ekaterina Gordon, 37, who has worked as a TV and radio talk show host, said she was putting herself forward as an independent presidential candidate on October 29. She said she wants to use the election to campaign for the rights of single mothers and children. She had never voted, but had become disillusioned by both the liberal opposition and pro-Kremlin politicians.
2.13 Polls & Sociology
The vast majority (93%) of Russians believe their army can protect them from any foreign aggression , according to the state owned pollster, the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM). According to the survey, the respondents believe the primary objectives of the Russian army are protecting its citizens and the country’s territorial integrity (43%) and strengthening the country’s combat capability (32%). Weapons modernization is considered the armed forces’ primary achievement over the past five years (34%). Besides, 86% of those polled noted the country’s defence capacity had greatly improved over the past few years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin can ensure both stability and reforms in the country , according to the state owned pollster, the Russian Public
31 RUSSIA Country Report December 2017 www.intellinews.com