Russia Angered Over US Cutting Comms; US NS2 Sanctions "Blatantly Unfair Competition"

LOCAL NEWS

• Russian Embassy to the US sent a diplomatic note to the US State Dept demanding the telephone line between the New York & Russian Consulates after the line was switched off yesterday.
  • Russia says current situation is unacceptable - TASS
• Nord Stream 2 sanctions are unacceptable and violate international law and fair trade principles - Russian Ambassador.
  • Says this is blatant unfair competition on the desire to create an advantage for itself in the energy market.
  • Follows Bilfinger & Zurich Insurance pulling out yesterday, likely slowing the eventual implementation of the pipeline despite Kremlin's assertions that it would be completed in spite of any sanctions.
• Local analysts speculate that a lengthy prison sentence could uproot Navalny's political movement and result in a harder crackdown on his supporter base, which has been gaining momentum since his return to Russia and subsequent arrest.
  • Says the Kremlin will hope to silence him and his smart-voting campaign as much as possible before Parliamentary elections.
  • However, some see his smart-voting operation as strong enough to persist with him behind bars - Moscow Times