Energy and Economy

 

Zelensky Freezes U.S. Minerals Deal and Seeks Gulf Investment

On February 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky froze a proposed deal granting the United States. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, citing inadequate security guarantees. The move comes as the United States sidelines Ukraine and Europe from peace talks with Russia, which Ukraine condemned as illegitimate. In search of alternate investors, Zelensky travelled to the United Arab Emirates, signing Ukraine’s first bilateral trade agreement with a Gulf nation to boost exports. Kyiv is also engaging with Saudi Arabia, where Ukrainian officials have presented $500 million in investment opportunities, as Saudi firms increase their involvement in Ukraine’s economy and reconstruction.

Source: bne IntelliNews

Pakistan Extends LNG Supply Agreement with Azerbaijan’s SOCAR

On February 20, Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee approved a three-year extension of the LNG supply agreement between Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) and Azerbaijan’s SOCAR Trading, a division of Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company. Initially signed in July 2023, the agreement allows PLL to procure one LNG cargo per month as needed without financial or take-or-pay commitments.

Source: Interfax

Uzbekistan Advances Toward WTO Membership with International Support

On February 19, during the World Trade Organization (WTO) General Council meeting, Uzbekistan made progress towards accession to the WTO, a process that began 31 years ago. The WTO leadership identified Uzbekistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ethiopia as priority candidates for membership at the next Ministerial Conference in 2026. Uzbekistan received backing by 16 WTO members. Tashkent has aligned several national laws with WTO regulations and signed 23 agreements following negotiations with 13 countries.

Source: Daryo

Kyrgyz FM Meets Kuwaiti Trade Minister

On February 20, the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Jeenbek Kulubaev, took part in discussions with Kuwait’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Khalifa Abdullah al-Ajil, as part of Kulubaev’s visit to the Gulf country. Kulubaev underscored the pro-market reforms that he stated were taking place within Kyrgyzstan and invited al-Ajil to make an official visit to Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz official also proposed the creation of a Kyrgyzstan-Kuwait business council. The meeting comes after an uptick in cooperation between Central Asia and the Gulf kingdoms, with a Central Asia-Gulf Cooperation Council meeting scheduled for this year.

Source: KABAR

Russia to Construct Gas Pipeline to Kazakhstan

On February 18, Russian officials released a document announcing that Russia would construct a trunk gas pipeline to supply northern regions of Kazakhstan. The pipeline will have a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters and have compressor stations capable of generating 50 megawatts. Supplying greater amounts of gas to northern Kazakhstan has been a state priority since at least 2021, with Kazakhstan's President underscoring the economic importance of reliable energy and heating.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

Ukrainian Drone Strikes in Russia Disrupt Kazakh Oil Exports

Ukrainian drone strikes on the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station have caused a significant disruption of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), the main pipeline through which Kazakhstan exports its oil resources to European markets. The disruption is expected to limit Kazakh oil exports from 1.143 million barrels per day (bpd) to an estimated range of 0.69 to 0.80 million bpd, potentially causing a drop in Kazakh crude exports of up to 28.6%. This would have major economic impacts on Kazakhstan whose economy is largely oriented around energy exports. 

Source: The Times of Central Asia

Turkish Energy Minister: Trans-Caspian Connection Needed to Transport Turkmen Gas in the Long Run

During an interview with a local media outlet, Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, said that on March 1, Türkiye will start receiving Turkmenistan’s natural gas. According to the agreement reached between Turkiye and Turkmenistan, 1.3 billion cubic meters of Turkmen natural gas will be transported to Türkiye through gas swaps with Iran. During the interview, Bayraktar also mentioned that for a long-term feasibility of transporting Turkmen gas to Türkiye and European markets, a Trans-Caspian connection, presumably a pipeline from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan, will be needed.

Source: Alparslan Bayraktar’s X account (@aBayraktar1)

Politics and Security

 

Pashinyan Unveils “Real Armenia” Doctrine

In a televised address to the nation on February 19, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan introduced the “Real Armenia” Doctrine, a platform for Armenia’s political and economic transformation. The doctrine emphasizes strengthening the existing state over aspirations for “historical Armenia” and prioritizes individual initiative and economic development. On the same day, Pashinyan issued instructions to form an inter-governmental commission to revise Armenia’s National Security Strategy. At a February 20 press briefing, National Security Secretary Armen Grigoryan noted that the current strategy dates to mid-2020, before the Second Karabakh war. The goal of Pashinyan’s initiative is to enshrine these changes into a new constitution, with a draft expected before the 2026 parliamentary elections.

Source: Eurasianet

Kazakhstan Plans to Establish Air Accident Investigation Center by Year-End

Kazakhstan plans to open a dedicated air accident investigation center by the end of 2025, aiming to improve aviation safety standards. Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev announced the initiative following the crash of an Azerbaijani AZAL airlines plane near Aktau in December 2024, which led to inspections of domestic airlines and airports. The country’s current air accident investigation capabilities are currently low, with a 51% rating in International Civil Aviation Organization assessments. Lastayev highlighted a shortage of certified local pilots, with only 400 of Kazakhstan’s 1,500 pilots currently certified to international standards, due to certification gaps at the Almaty Academy of Civil Aviation.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Sign Border Delimitation Agreement

On February 21, the heads of the national security committees of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Kamchybek Tashiev and Saimumin Yatimov, signed a long-awaited agreement on the delimitation of their interstate border. The agreement marks a significant step in resolving the border disputes between two countries that share a 980-kilometer frontier. Tashiev noted that additional agreements have been prepared for signing by heads of both states, including a border agreement, a pact on water-energy facilities, and an accord on cross-border areas and new road construction. Negotiations on border delimitations have been ongoing since December 2002.

Source: Trendnews

Russia Detains Two Armenian Nationals in Connection with Arbat Battalion Leader’s Killing

Russia’s RT media outlet has reported that Russian officials have detained two Armenian citizens on suspicion of involvement in the assassination of the Arbat pro-Russian paramilitary founder, Armen Sargsyan. RT has also reported that police are considering two possible motives for the killing, suggesting that Sargsyan had either been killed by business competitors or by the Ukrainian intelligence service. 

Source: OC Media