2018
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (11/2018). November saw a shift in Japanese policy toward ending the territorial dispute with Russia. On the issue of the denuclearization of the DPRK, the United States came out with an initiative to establish contacts with Moscow. Regional cooperation between Japan and Belarus is developing more and more actively. To read the whole report from November together with the commentary, click here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (10/11/2018). The most important events in October and November were China's interest in the construction of a Ukrainian logistics hub near the EU border. The Great Stone industrial park near Minsk during China International Import Export became a flywheel for further investment cooperation in Belarus, including the Bremino-Orsha SEZ and in Sino-Russian cooperation the development of cooperation in the innovation industry comes to the fore. Download the entire October and November news with commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (10/2018). Japanese-Ukrainian consultations on security issues took place in October. During that month, Japan also sought investment opportunities in Ukraine and Belarus. DPRK authorities, meanwhile, intensified relations with Moscow to strengthen their position ahead of the Trump-Kim summit. Download the entire October news with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (9/2018). In September, China unveiled a plan to construct a wind power plant in Ukraine. The first cargo depot departed from Belarus to Chongqing and China and Russia plan to implement projects worth $100 billion. Download the entire September news with commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (9/2018). September saw another meeting between the Russian president and the Japanese prime minister. In relations with Belarus, efforts to promote regional cooperation between the two countries continued. This month, the chairwoman of the Russian Federation Council visited Pyongyang. And delegations from the two Koreas took part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, expressing hope for the launch of trilateral projects with Russia. Download the entire September news with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (8/2018). In August, Ukraine unveiled a costly plan to develop its rail network as part of the Belt and Road initiative. The first Chinese visa-free tourists arrived in Belarus and Sino-Russian relations clarified details of a key infrastructure project. For the entire August report and commentary, please click here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula vis-à-vis Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (8/2018). Japan announced in August that it plans to increase diplomatic cooperation with Belarus next year. Tokyo also began testing a new economic route to tap the potential of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The month also saw further reports of Russia violating sanctions against the DPRK, with Moscow halting the publication of a report on a 2006 UN Security Council resolution. Download the entire August news story along with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (7/2018). In July, the Trade and Investment Promotion Office of the Belt and Road Initiative was opened in Kiev. Belarus established regional cooperation with Liaoning Province and in Sino-Russian relations, LNG supplies using the Northern Sea Route were inaugurated. For the entire July report and commentary, click here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula vis-à-vis Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (6-7/2018). In June, Japan participated in an international conference on reform in Ukraine, supporting the reconstruction of the country's eastern regions. Denuclearization of the DPRK became an important topic of ministerial meetings between Tokyo and Moscow. The deescalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula after the Trump-Kim summit has created prospects for Moscow and Seoul to intensify economic cooperation with Pyongyang. Download the entire June and July news with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (6/2018). In June, the 2nd Ukraine-China Economic Cooperation Forum was held in Ukraine. In Sino-Belarusian relations, a Lukashenko-Xi meeting took place on the eve of the SOW summit. In Russia, the construction of Arctic infrastructure was approved, which should be understood as one of China's priorities in implementing the Belt and Road initiative. For the entire June issue with commentary, click here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (5/2018). In May, the People's Republic of China called for a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis. The Great Stone industrial park has seen further successes in Belarus, becoming a major domestic trade hub. In Sino-Russian relations, we can expect proposals for new investments, which will not necessarily be related to the energy sector. Download the entire May report with commentary here.
Report: Japan, the Korean Peninsula vs. Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (5/2018). May saw another meeting between President Putin and Prime Minister Abe on the disputed territories. Japan also continued to support UN-led projects in Ukraine. On the other hand, Russia took steps to increase its influence on the Korean Peninsula, which was to be served by the visit of its foreign minister to Pyongyang. For the entire May report and commentary, please click here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (4/2018). In April, there was a Sino-Ukrainian meeting in the context of joint renewable energy projects. China is interested in establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership with Belarus and Russia may become a beneficiary of the PRC's largest foreign railroad project. Download the entire April news with commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (4/2018). In April, the DPRK foreign minister made an official visit to Moscow to seek support ahead of the inter-Korean summit. South Korea has expressed interest in joining the construction of a highway in Belarus to become part of the Silk Road. Japan and Russia have expressed support for dialogue in the six-party format on denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. Download the entire April briefing with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (3/2018). In March, the Ukrainian government received heavy asphalt equipment to carry out the country's most needed infrastructure investments; a Sino-Belarusian economic cooperation forum was held in Chengdu. China and Russia will launch a joint uranium mining project. Download the entire March news with commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (3/2018). Russia continued to exert military pressure on Tokyo in March. Despite London's appeal, Japan did not take a firm stance on the S. Skripal poisoning case. Further grants for non-profit projects were given to Ukraine and Belarus by the Japanese government. South Korea continued its development assistance and educational cooperation activities with Ukraine and Belarus this month. After the North Korean leader's surprise visit to Beijing, there was speculation about the possibility of a Kim-Putin summit. Download the entire March news with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (2/2018). In February, the Ukrainian government received a $1.5 billion non-refundable grant to support the telecommunications sector. In Belarus, another loan is planned in the agricultural sector (CNY 1.75 billion) and in relations with Russia, a program of local and regional cooperation for 2018-2019 was launched. The entire February briefing with commentary download here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula vis-à-vis Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (2/2018). February saw the signing of new agreements under the Kusanone program. Under them, the Japanese government will provide support to selected civic projects in Belarus and Ukraine. Japan has also demonstrated its commitment to the reconstruction of eastern Ukraine. Russia, meanwhile, has launched a broader diplomatic effort to support dialogue on the Korean Peninsula. Download the entire February briefing along with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (1/2018). January in Sino-Belarusian relations abounded with the conclusion of investment agreements and served to further develop military cooperation between the sides. In relations with Russia, the PRC also brought military cooperation and strategic infrastructure projects to the fore, while in Ukraine, opportunities to increase the PRC's economic presence are brought by the inauguration of the "Beskid Tunnel", announced for May this year. For the entire January report and commentary, please click here.
Report: Japan, the Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (1/2018). Prime Minister Abe visited Eastern Europe in January. South Korea also showed interest in the region and offered Belarus and Ukraine cooperation under the "New Northern Policy." This year, Moscow and Tokyo will seek to further improve relations, as evidenced by the visit of a Russian delegation to Hokkaido. Download the entire January news story with commentary here.
2017
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (10/2017). In December, the Ukrainian government announced $7 billion worth of projects with the Chinese side. A meeting in Sochi between the Prime Ministers of the PRC and Belarus was full of promises to intensify economic and military cooperation. The long-awaited Arctic Yamal LNG project was launched in Russia, with the first delivery of LNG going to China. For the full report from December, along with commentary, click here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula vs. Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (10/2017). In December, Russia and Japan began military consultations to increase cooperation between defense ministries. South Korea has also been strengthening relations with Russia. The chairwoman of the ruling Democratic Party was invited to Moscow, where she held a series of consultations on economic and security cooperation. For the entire report from December, along with commentary, download here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (9/2017). November saw the 2nd Ukrainian Belt and Road Forum, President Lukashenko renewed his commitment to attracting more Chinese investment in Belarus and in China-Russia relations, the estimate of this year's economic exchanges fell short of expectations. Download the entire November news with commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (9/2017). Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Nakne Kazuki visited Kiev in November. The Japanese government also decided to simplify visa procedures for Ukrainian citizens. This month, Russia unveiled a plan to resolve the Korean crisis, which would lead to the start of U.S.-North Korean negotiations. Russia also condemned the idea of imposing further sanctions on Pyongyang, and a State Duma delegation met with the chairman of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly. Download the entire November news with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (8/2017). In October, the People's Republic of China continued to pursue strategic infrastructure investments in the Black Sea region. Efforts to attract Chinese foreign direct investment have intensified in Belarus, and Beijing-Moscow relations see growing interdependence in the energy field. For the entire October edition, please click here.
Report: Japan, the Korean Peninsula vis-à-vis Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia (8/2017). A second Japanese survey mission to the area of the disputed Kuril Islands took place in October, indicating that Japan and Russia are seeking to implement joint economic projects in the area. North Korea, meanwhile, manifested its support for the Russian Federation by publishing an atlas in which the Crimea area was marked as Russian territory. For the entire October issue with commentary, click here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (7/2017). In September, the UN General Assembly was held in New York, which provided an opportunity for meetings between the heads of the Ukrainian, Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministries. In addition, Chinese media outlets signed a number of agreements with media representatives in the CEE region. Belarus plans to welcome more high-tech sector investments in an industrial park in Minsk Region and planned Russian oil exports to the PRC will cause controversy within the OPEC organization. Download the entire September news with commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula vis-a-vis Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (7/2017). September saw a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Belarus and Ukraine strongly condemned subsequent North Korean provocations. The topic of North Korea was discussed during meetings between Russia, Japan, and South Korea leaders. Download the entire September briefing with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (6/2017). In August, the Chinese led continued infrastructure investments in Ukraine and the state-owned natural gas production company, Ukrgazdobycha, made the future of its contracts dependent on Chinese loans. In Belarus, meanwhile, joint efforts are planned in the area of cross-border security. Russia will take further steps to strengthen its multidimensional partnership with the PRC - this time in space. Download the entire August report and commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (6/2017). Belarusian Ambassador to Japan Ruslan Esin was very active in August, visiting many Japanese regions. On the other hand, Russia became concerned with the possibility of placing a U.S. anti-ballistic missile system on Japanese territory. This month also saw the publication of a report that one Ukrainian factory was supplying North Korea with advanced missile technology. Download the entire August report with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (5/2017). In July, the Chinese renewed their interest in investments in southern Ukraine, which could lead to increased tensions between China and Russia in the wake of the Crimean crisis. China and Belarus conducted joint military exercises and announced joint energy projects in less developed countries. In Russia, there was a meeting of the countries' leaders resulting in establishing a $10 billion investment fund. Download the entire July news with commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (5/2017). July saw another meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the G20 summit. The Japanese government is also engaging in the transition process in Ukraine, participating in a summit in London devoted to Ukrainian reforms. South Korea and Russia may begin closer cooperation, as evidenced by plans to build joint rail links in the Eurasian area. Download the entire July news with commentary here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (4/2017). June in Sino-Ukrainian relations saw the signing of several agreements that could significantly improve the condition of Ukrainian entrepreneurs interested in exporting products. Two non-refundable investments were approved in Belarus that will help warm up the image of the PRC. In Sino-Russian relations after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, a conflict of interest became apparent that could significantly impact the location of Chinese investments in the land section of the Belt and Road initiative. Download the entire June briefing with commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula vs. Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia (4/2017). In June, Russia outlined a plan to resolve the North Korean arms issue in cooperation with China. It has also begun surveys in the disputed Kuril Islands to identify opportunities for Japanese-Russian cooperation in the territories. Japan, meanwhile, has expressed support for Ukrainian reforms. Download the entire June news release with commentary here.
Special Report: China toward Central Asia (May 2017). Download here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (3/2017). In May, Ukrainian delegations made official visits to raise funds for the most significant infrastructure projects. In Belarus, documents were signed heralding the acceptance of new investments in the Great Stone industrial park. The Russians have expressed readiness to start multidimensional cooperation in scientific and political spheres, among others. For the whole of May's news and commentary, please click here.
Report: Japan, the Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (3/2017). The celebration of the "year of Japan" in Ukraine continues in May. There was no breakthrough on the issue of disputed territories between Russia and Japan. The planned visit of a Japanese delegation to the disputed sands in May did not materialize. On the other hand, North Korea has strengthened its relations with Russia, opening a permanent sea link between the ports of the two countries. The new president of the Republic of Korea also hopes for the improvement of relations with Russia, sending a special envoy to Moscow in May. For the entire May report and commentary, click here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (2/2017). In April, information came to light about serious problems for a Ukrainian company to obtain a Chinese multi-billion dollar loan for infrastructure investment. Belarus is expected to receive more than a dozen new investments in the Great Stone industrial park and Sino-Russian relations saw a series of talks and meetings on the current international situation. Download the entire April news with commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (2/2017). In April, Japan's relations with Ukraine and Belarus focused on cultural diplomacy. Japan and Ukraine are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations this year, and the "Year of Japan" in Ukraine is being celebrated to mark the occasion. In two years, Japan and Belarus will celebrate a similar anniversary. April brought another meeting between Abe Shinzo and Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at normalizing relations. For the entire April report and commentary, click here.
Report: China towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (1/2017). In March, the Ukrainian government planned to welcome two large Chinese infrastructure investments. Belarus made another attempt to protect Chinese investment in the Great Stone industrial park. In Kazan, Russia, annual consultations were held between the CCP and the United Russia party. Download the entire March news with commentary here.
Report: Japan, Korean Peninsula towards Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (1/2017). In March, agreements were signed under the Kusanone program between Japan and Ukraine and Belarus to fund grants for local projects related to improving school and medical infrastructure. Additionally, the Japanese government chooses to financially support victims of the conflict in Donbass. The region's relations with the Korean Peninsula are dominated by the issues of North Korea's nuclear provocations and missile tests. Download the entire March news with commentary here.