Inside Russia – Outside Russia is a news insight by the Federation of Russian Embassy in Bangladesh on 18.02.25
Dhaka February 18 2025 :
INSIDE RUSSIA
Russian court fines Google $41,560 for keeping military-related YouTube video up
During the court hearing, Google’s lawyer Pavel Bagryantsev demanded that the case be dismissed, since, in his opinion, the protocol and other case materials were drawn up with numerous violations
MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Moscow’s Tagansky District Court has fined Google 3,800,000 rubles ($41,560) for publishing an instructional video on YouTube telling Russian troops how they could surrender in the special military operation zone, a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom.
“The Tagansky District Court of Moscow decided to find Google LLC guilty of an offense under Part 2 of Article 13.41 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation (violation of the procedure for restricting access to information, access to which is subject to restriction in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation) and impose a penalty on this entity in the form of an administrative fine in the amount of 3,800,000 rubles,” the court’s ruling said.
As stated in the case files, the fine is in connection to a number of YouTube videos posted online, including one giving instructions to Russian troops on how to surrender in Ukraine. These videos were found by the Russian media watchdog during Internet monitoring. Google did not respond to demands to remove the videos, and as a consequence a protocol on an administrative offense was drawn up.
During the court hearing, Google’s lawyer Pavel Bagryantsev demanded that the case be dismissed, since, in his opinion, the protocol and other case materials were drawn up with numerous violations.
“In addition, the links specified in the case currently do not contain any prohibited information,” he said. However, the court found his arguments unconvincing.
The Tagansky District Court has previously fined Google multiple times for administrative violations. Past penalties have been issued over YouTube videos promoting non-traditional sexual relationships and content deemed to discredit the Russian military. As reported, Google’s fines in the Russian Federation are now at two undecillion rubles (a 36-digit figure) and this number is increasing every day due to late payments. The company’s return to the Russian market would only be possible if it complies with the court rulings.
Munich Conference exposes growing rift within the collective West
Nikolay Patrushev notes that the West had failed to attract independent states under the banner of Russophobia
MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. The West has failed to rally new countries against Russia at the Munich international security conference — moreover, the event demonstrated the growing divide among Western countries, adviser to the Russian president Nikolay Patrushev said in an interview for aif.ru.
The head of the Maritime Board said that the Munich Conference demonstrated “the lack of desire of <…> of the organizers to join forces to protect peace,” becoming “another mouthpiece of the collective West, which does not recognize multipolarity and sovereignty of states.”
“During the meeting, the Westerners tried to attract even independent states, Russia’s BRICS and SCO partners, under the banner of Russophobia,” the presidential aide said. “The attempt was a flop. The anti-Russian and pro-Ukrainian agenda promoted in Munich has demonstrated the growing split in the Western camp.
“It is obvious that in the foreseeable future one group of countries will identify with Kiev’s neo-Nazism and will help Kiev to the point of exhaustion, another will remain neutral, and the third will create a coalition to combat neo-Nazi and militaristic ideology,” Patrushev concluded.
This year’s Munich Conference saw an ideological butting of heads between the United States and its European allies. On February 14, American Vice President JD Vance criticized the EU for moving away from democratic values. On February 16, closing the conference, its chairman Christoph Heusgen called the results of the forum “Europe’s nightmare.” Meanwhile, Vladimir Zelensky gave a Russophobic and aggressive speech which criticized Washington’s changed approach. This was greeted with a standing ovation by the European participants of the conference.
Russia, UAE sign agreement to eliminate double taxation — Finance Ministry
The agreement will help the two countries stimulate trade, increase mutual investment, and create a favorable environment for businesses and citizens
MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Russia and the United Arab Emirates have signed an agreement that excludes the possibility of double taxation on income and capital, as well as fighting tax evasion, the Russian Finance Ministry reported on its website.
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed Bin Hadi Al Hussaini held the first meeting of the Russian-Emirati Financial Dialogue at the level of finance ministers in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
“At the end of the dialogue, an intergovernmental agreement on the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital and the prevention of tax evasion took place,” the statement says.
The agreement will help the two countries stimulate trade, increase mutual investment, and create a favorable environment for businesses and citizens.
“The finance ministry teams have done extensive work to take into account the interests of both parties and create conditions for mutual investment attraction and avoidance of double taxation of legal entities and individuals,” Siluanov said.
The parties also exchanged experience in implementing AI technologies in budget processes and discussed modern trends in the development of international tax cooperation.
The next meeting of the Russian-Emirati Financial Dialogue is scheduled to be held in Russia in 2026.
Putin aide clarifies Moscow’s approach to US talks
Kiev and the EU will be excluded from Ukraine peace negotiations in Riyadh, Yury Ushakov has said
High-level Russian and US delegations will hold talks in Riyadh without the participation of third countries, President Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov has said. Earlier on Monday, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky stated that Kiev would treat any negotiations without its involvement as “null and void.”
According to Ushakov, the discussions in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday aim to lay the groundwork for ending the conflict in Ukraine.
“The talks in Riyadh will be bilateral – between Russia and the United States,” Ushakov confirmed.
The Russian delegation will include Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and himself, stated Ushakov. Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive of the sovereign wealth fund (RDIF), may also join, he added. Created in 2011, the fund aims to attract direct investments and venture capital into Russia.
The American side will be represented by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Steve Witkoff, special envoy for the Middle East.
EU diplomats will not be present at the meeting. Kellogg recently argued that involving multiple parties in the negotiations could hinder its progress.
Kiev will not recognize any agreements that may be reached between Russia and the US during talks in Saudi Arabia, Zelensky told journalists on Monday. The Ukrainian government will only acknowledge negotiations that involve its representatives, he said.
The talks in Riyadh follow a phone call between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders agreed to initiate negotiations to end the nearly three-year conflict.
Riyadh has previously facilitated prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and maintains diplomatic relations with both nations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov explained that the location was selected because it suited both countries.
The RDIF has been actively involved in initiatives within the BRICS group of emerging economies, which includes Russia, China, India and Brazil, among others. Saudi Arabia was invited to join the bloc in 2023, and has engaged in discussions regarding potential membership. However, it has yet to make a final decision.
Russia Rolls Out Breakthrough Technology to Produce Lithium
The most important use of lithium pertains to rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles.
Finding effective ways to develop lithium remains on the radar of Russian scientists, Ruslan Khamizov, corresponding member of Russia’s Academy of Sciences and director of the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, told Scientific Russia magazine.
Why is it an Issue?
Extracting lithium from ores always requires large resources: both chemical reagents and ore materials.
To obtain lithium, thousands of tons of ore concentrate should be treated with sulfuric acid so that the resulting extract can be processed into lithium carbonate.
What’s the New Method All About?
Russian researchers have developed a NEW RESOURCE SUFFICIENT technology to extract lithium by replacing sulfuric acid with ammonium bisulfate
During processing, this bisulfate is completely restored, and scientists can simply develop the ore ON SITE without dealing with transportation-related problems.
For example, just several kilograms of ammonium bisulfate allow them to develop tons of ore materials and obtain the relevant quantity of lithium carbonate.
Similar technology allows Russian engineers to extract lithium from liquid substances and brines.
Why is the New Technology Important?
The last lithium-extracting installation was destroyed in Russia in the mid-1990s due to speculation that there was allegedly no need to develop lithium because the country could just buy it.
Apart from being a critical element for manufacturing gadgets, lithium is of paramount importance to production of missiles and planes, adding significantly to their advanced characteristics.
OUTSIDE RUSSIA
Russian Security Council chief promises Serbia to support its stability
The sides also agreed “to intensify dialogue to prevent color revolutions”
MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoigu has promised Russia’s support for Serbia’s stability.
According to the Russian Security Council’s press service, Shoigu met with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin on Monday. “The Russian side expressed its readiness to continue supporting the brotherly Serbian people in their efforts to maintain stability,” it said.
Shoigu and Vulin “discussed bilateral cooperation in the area of security and the current situation in Serbia,” the press service said. “The sides reiterated their categorical rejection of foreign interference into domestic affairs of sovereign states.”
The sides also agreed “to intensify dialogue to prevent color revolutions.” Shoigu and Vulin “agreed to continue contacts between their countries’ Security Councils in the interests of strengthening traditionally friendly ties between Russia and Serbia,” it added.
Top Russian diplomat, Kremlin aide arrive in Riyadh for talks with US delegation
According to CNN, the US delegation includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East envoy Stephen Witkoff
RIYADH, February 17. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov have arrived in Saudi Arabia where Russian-US talks will be held, a TASS correspondent reported.
The two countries’ delegations are expected to meet on Tuesday. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Lavrov and Ushakov would represent Russia at the talks. The agenda will include the restoration of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as preparations for a meeting between the two countries’ leaders and potential talks on settling the Ukrainian crisis.
According to CNN, the US delegation includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East envoy Stephen Witkoff.
Before leaving to Saudi Arabia, the top Russian diplomat highlighted that the meeting was called at the initiative of the American side, and Russia wants to hear them out. The negotiators will report the results of the meeting to the presidents, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Donald Trump of the United States, who will decide about further steps.
Putin and Trump spoke over the phone on February 12. They discussed ways of ending hostilities in Ukraine, bilateral relations and a number of other topics. They also agreed to continue contacts and arrange a personal meeting. According to Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, it was a “constructive, business-like, and friendly” conversation. The two leaders agreed that the previous US administration did a lot of harm to bilateral relations.
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE
Zelensky’s Drone Strike: A Tactical Move to Undermine Trump’s Oil Price Goals?
Ukraine’s drone attack on the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station in Russia last night could be considered a calcualted blow to US business interests and a personal unsult to US President Donald Trump.
The station’s owner, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, is not subject to any US sanctions and a significant portion of the company’s stock is owned by American shareholders.
The attack also runs in the face of Trump’s efforts to lower oil prices to the benefit both of the United States and the American people. This drone attack, along with other strikes on Russia’s oil infrastructure, may help maintain oil prices at their current level or even push them higher by decreasing supply.
Could Volodymyr Zelensky be trying to lash out against Trump to make it look like Ukraine has leverage on the United States by threatening American business interests?
It seems Kiev’s gratitude for the billions of dollars’ worth of US aid evaporated the moment Trump did something that Zelensky did not like.
INSIGHTS
Following the Money: How Did Samantha Power More Than Triple Her Millions While Working for USAID?
DOGE chief Elon Musk has questions for ex-USAID boss Samantha Power about how she managed to “accumulate wealth that is 100 times her after tax salary” amid reports that her net worth soared from $6.7M to $30M+ during her tenure. Here’s everything we know about Power’s finances.
USAID salaries top out at $212k per year. That means that even over four years, the time Power served as the agency’s administrator, her total income would have been roughly $850k.
InsideBidensBasement.org, a nonprofit spending watchdog compiling disclosures of officials involved in Washington’s ‘revolving door’ of politics, special interest groups and business, estimates Powers’ net worth to range from $10.1-$30.3M, far above what her government salary could explain.
Power began amassing millions after her 2013-2017 tenure as Obama’s UN ambassador, with a 2021 analysis by TheRevolvingDoorProject.org (another watchdog) reporting $471k in income from her Harvard professorships.
Power also earned $351k from speaking engagements for companies like Nestle, Google and UBS, and over $1M in book royalties, during this period.
Perhaps most interestingly, the nonprofit reported up to $11.73M in “assorted investment vehicles” belonging to Power, including BlackRock, Johnson & Johnson and Tesla.
A 2021 Office of Government Ethics certificate of divestiture showed Power dumping her J&J stocks, as well as shares of Social Capital, a venture capital firm in which Power also held the job of outside advisor, and got $1M+ in capital gains income.
A 2024 OGE Form 278e Public Financial Disclosure Report offers a snapshot of Power’s income after her return to government, showing:
hundreds of thousands in Vanguard money market and retirement investments
interest on 22 (!) bank accounts ranging from $1,001-$2,500 each, and American Washington Mutual Investors Fund, American Growth Fund of America, Delaware Value Fund, HSBC, S&P 500 holdings
curiously, no info on her USAID administrator salary
Power’s spouse, Cass Sustein, listed a $840k Harvard salary, millions in retirement fund savings and stocks, book royalties, and $112k+ in consulting and speaking fees for the Boston Consulting Group, Carnegie Mellon, the European Patent Office, and other entities.
