Russia and Iran will sign strategic partnership agreement on January 17

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are set to sign a strategic partnership agreement during Pezeshkian's visit to Russia on Jan. 17, the Kremlin announced. The deal will strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors, including trade, investment, transport, and defense, while addressing regional and international issues. The North-South Transport Corridor, a major infrastructure initiative connecting Russia, Iran, and other countries, is expected to be a cornerstone of the agreement.

The partnership reflects the growing military and political alignment between the two nations, which has deepened since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones and short-range ballistic missiles, which have been used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Additionally, Russia has started producing its version of the Shahed drones, named Geran-2, with Iran's assistance. Despite shared goals of opposing Western influence, the alliance experienced setbacks, such as the overthrow of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad last December, who had been supported by both countries.

This deal follows a similar agreement signed by Russia with North Korea in June 2024. Under that agreement, North Korea pledged military support to Russia, later deploying thousands of troops to Kursk Oblast during a Ukrainian counteroffensive. The upcoming partnership with Iran underscores Moscow's ongoing efforts to solidify alliances amid its strained relations with the West.

Fico invited Zelensky to Slovakia to discuss gas transit via Ukraine

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has proposed a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address the halt of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. In a video address on Jan. 13, Fico suggested holding discussions near the Slovakia-Ukraine border "as soon as possible" to explore "technical solutions" for maintaining gas supplies to Slovakia and other countries following the termination of the Ukraine-Russia gas transit contract on Dec. 31, 2024. Fico estimated Slovakia’s annual losses from the shutdown at €500 million ($510 million).

The proposal followed tensions between the two leaders after Zelensky responded to Fico’s earlier threats to limit aid to Ukrainians and cut electricity supplies. Zelensky revealed that Ukraine had offered Slovakia assistance for the adaptation period, which Fico "arrogantly refused." In turn, Fico avoided engaging further, focusing instead on resolving the gas transit issue. Both Fico and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have maintained friendly ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and have opposed Ukraine's decision to end Russian gas transit, promoting pro-Russian narratives within Europe. Despite EU efforts to reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels, Slovakia and Hungary remain significantly dependent on Russian gas.

India will reject Russian oil tankers under US sanctions

India has announced plans to cease using oil tankers sanctioned by the United States due to their role in transporting goods for Russia, highlighting the influence of Washington's sanctions on the global oil market. According to Bloomberg, sanctioned vessels will be prohibited from unloading in India, though exceptions apply to ships chartered before Jan. 10, provided they offload their cargo by March 12.

An Indian official, speaking anonymously due to the issue's sensitivity, stated that the sanctions' effects would become evident within two months. They noted that oil supply remains manageable, with OPEC having 3 million barrels per day of spare capacity and non-OPEC producers like the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and Guyana able to increase output. Indian refiners are negotiating term deals with Middle Eastern suppliers and may seek additional barrels if necessary. However, they risk losing the discounts currently offered on Russian crude if supplies tighten. The official also suggested that Russia would likely find alternative ways to deliver oil to India. Indian banks are set to require certificates of origin to ensure compliance with sanctions.