TODAY: Russia committed to China oil exports despite sanctions; Gazprom remains unconcerned by strictures; why Europe cannot extract itself from Russian gas projects. South Africa Rosatom deal; Russia’s nuclear armed forces set for overhaul; Ukrainian peace plan gaining traction? Mechel in trouble; Putin hits kids TV thanks to tiger.

The Kremlin has asserted that despite sanctions limiting Russian access to Western technology, it will fulfil its plans of increasing oil exports to China.  Asian companies have apparently signalled an interested in replacing the U.S. companies which are now debarred from Arctic exploration with Russia.  French major Total, which owns 20% of the mammoth Yamal gas project, is looking for alternative sources of funding as a result of sanctions, whilst Russian major Novatek, which owns 60%, apparently has no problem financing its share.  Whilst acknowledging the complexities of the political situation, Total’s CFO Patrick de La Chevardiere noted that Europe’s reliance on Russian gas is such that it must continue to participate in energy projects with Russia.  Reuters reports that last week Austria unexpectedly received 20-25% less gas from Russia than contractually agreed.  Gazprom is confident that it can substitute all imported equipment that is subject to Western sanctions.  The company board’s Deputy Chairman, Alexander Medvedev, believes that in 15 years Asia-Pacific regional states’ aggregate annual gas import will almost double.  Having withdrawn from its other Russian projects, Exxon Mobile energy company is reportedly still active in the Far-Eastern Liquefied natural gas plant construction project.