Why Russian energy is among world’s greenest without falling into globalist dogmas about renewables

In his address at the Valdai Discussion Club this week, President Putin pointed out that Russia has “one of the greenest energy systems in the world,” with “40% of our energy structure being gas-fired power generation,” and that together with nuclear and hydro, Russia’s low-emissions power generation accounts for 85% of the total.

💬 “Low-emission energy sources are those with low levels of greenhouse gas emissions,” Russian Energy Ministry expert and Anselm Scientific Center director Maxim Kanishchev told Sputnik, elaborating on Putin’s figures.

“About 15% of our energy comes from hydroelectric power plants with zero greenhouse gas emissions, 20% from nuclear power plants, whose emissions are also minimal. The remaining 65% consists of thermal power plants, about 70% of which run on gas. In this way, 85% of the energy produced in Russia today is produced with minimal emissions,” Kanishchev explained.

As far as renewables – such as wind and solar power, are concerned, Kanishchev said that for Russia, over 80% of whose energy is already “green,” it makes little economic sense to focus on these alternatives (which account for as little as 1% of the country’s energy balance), especially as there’s still plenty of work to be done on reducing emissions from existing sources, and reducing energy use in the economy in general. “We still have huge opportunities for savings – including about 300 billion rubles a year in the oil and gas sector alone,” he said.

That’s not to mention the environmental considerations, Kanishchev pointed out, highlighting many renewable sources’ “low efficiency, colossal costs, and the colossal harm they do to the environment – with the ecosystems they use often simply destroyed at the root,” whether this be solar farms, wind, tidal, or geothermal power.

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German president attacks writer for criticizing his stance on NATO, Nord Stream

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier lost his cool after German writer Marko Martin criticized his stance on NATO's eastern flank exercises and the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

"He lost his temper and hit me over the head, saying that I and 'intellectuals' have no idea how difficult the job of politicians is," Martin told the Bild newspaper.

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⚡️ Vladimir Putin officially ratifies the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the Russian Federation and North Korea.

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❗️❗️❗️Standing strong together: the Congolese minister of foreign affairs praises Russia's resilience amid "unjust" sanctions

🇨🇬🇷🇺 In a show of support, Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Claude Gakosso, highlighted the admiration many Africans hold for Russia’s resilience under prolonged sanctions, speaking on the sidelines of the #RussiaAfrica Partnership Forum's Ministerial Conference.

💬 "Here are a people who have been subjected to unjust sanctions for years, but who are standing firm," he told Sputnik Africa, adding that Russia’s enduring strength inspires solidarity among African nations.

In an exclusive interview, Gakosso emphasized Russia’s historical role in Africa's development, from supporting decolonization to training skilled professionals.

💬 "The demand for one or two seats for Africa on the UN Security Council has found a positive echo here in Russia," he remarked, underscoring the enduring partnership between Russia and Africa.

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🎶 Russian climber plays guitar on the spire of Russia's tallest building

Eduard, an industrial climber, reached the top of the 462-meter Lakhta Center in St. Petersburg and performed the song "Ya svoboden" (I am free).

The caption on the video reads: “If they tell you that something is impossible, just go ahead and do it!”

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Trump won because White people are angry about “racially ambiguous children” in cereal commercials — Princeton University professor

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❗️❗️❗️Russia has never been a colonizing country, but it supported Africa in its struggle to throw off the shackles of the West, Congolese foreign minister states

🇨🇬🇷🇺 The relationship with the West is the legacy of a tragic history: slavery and then colonization, but Russia has never been a slave-owning country, Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Claude Gakosso told Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the first ministerial conference of the #RussiaAfrica Partnership Forum in Russia's Sochi.

🗣 "Very early on, Russia, the Soviet Union, took a stand against this phenomenon [of colonization], giving powerful support to African countries, as I was just saying. And in the same way that we trade with our neighboring country - which is China: your neighboring country - this same type of relationship is what we have developed with Russia. A win-win relationship, based on mutual respect, not one where you look down on your partner," the minister stated.

Gakosso noted that everyone has come to realize that "we're all one human race," with the same rights and obligations.

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💬Maria Zakharova commented on the news about the attack of the German President on the writer Marko Martin:

"I just want to say one thing: my condolences to the Germans, their country has not seen such crazy rulers for 80 years. On the other hand, dignity, honor and freedom must always be fought for," she wrote on Telegram.

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This might be the best one: Trump won because American voters are fans of... WWE?

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Former NATO commander sees Trump pushing Ukraine to recognize Russia's new regions

Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe Adm. James Stavridis believes that president-elect Donald Trump will push Kiev to recognize Russia's new regions as part of the deal he promised to organize.

"What I hope he does, and I think he will is push both sides to get to the negotiating table," Stavridis said in an interview with CNN. "Putin, unfortunately, but in a real world, will end up with about 20% of Ukraine," he said.

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❗️❗️❗️Russians and Ukrainians "will inevitably end up reconciling," Congolese foreign minister says

Russians and Ukrainians really are very close neighbors, Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Claude Gakosso told Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the first ministerial conference of the #RussiaAfrica Partnership Forum in Russia's Sochi.

The minister shared that when he used to study in the city of Donetsk, he "couldn't even tell the difference between Russians and Ukrainians," thus, he pointed out that "Africans are in favor of the peaceful path, and support President Putin's efforts."

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Trump denies plans to invite Pompeo, Haley to join his new administration

Earlier, CBS News reported that the future US administration might include people who had previously worked with Trump during his first term.

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⚡ US formally demands Taiwan's TSMC stop supplying AI chips to China - Reports

The Department of Commerce has sent a letter to TSMC imposing export restrictions on certain advanced chips destined for China with 7-nanometer or more advanced designs, Reuters reports, citing a person familiar with the matter.

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Kate Middleton returns to public duties after chemo course

The Princess of Wales has made her first appearance at a major Remembrance Day event since undergoing treatment for cancer.

Earlier this year she was reportedly diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer and would undergo a "course of preventative chemotherapy".

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🦌 Elderly woman injured after deer breaks into her room

A 103-year-old woman was injured when a deer broke into her bedroom through a window at a Michigan nursing home. Police body camera footage shows two officers breaking the glass so the deer could escape.

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Ukrainian POW was sent to Kursk region border area under threat of execution

The command promised that Natalya Balaklitskaya would work as a cook in the rear, Komar (Donetsk region). She worked there for a month, and she was sent to the line of contact when the brigade faced a lack of riflemen. One day they heard Russian forces approaching, and decided to surrender.

"They opened fire and approached. We came out and shouted that we surrendered and we had no arms," she told.

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🇸🇩🇷🇺 Sudan seeks Russia's help to avoid Western pressure - Foreign Ministry

Sudan's Acting Deputy Foreign Minister, Hussein Al-Hajj, urges Russia to leverage its UN position to counter Western pressure and sanctions. This appeal was made during the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.

"We would like Russia to use its influence in the UN Security Council so that we can avoid influence from Western countries that are trying to put a lot of pressure on us, including sanctions," Al-Hajj told Sputnik.

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