Russia

Gazprom, the major financer for Russia’s natural gas pipeline that would bisect the Ukok Plateau en route to China, appears to have dropped the project for 2012. Gazprom’sinvestment program and financial plan for 2012 doesn’t include the Altai pipeline project (see Gazprom’s press release.)  Cultural Survival’s campaign partners are cautiously optimistic about the news.  Jennifer Castner, of the Altai Project  explained, “We’re hoping that this means we can all take a deep breath for a brief moment, but continue our advocacy and remain vigilant.” 

In this new video, the Telengit people share their ancient culture and its relevance in their lives today. See our action alert about the pipeline that threatens the Ukok Plateau here.

November 8, 2011– On today’s Moscow Times Opinion page,  the co-founder of Russia’s Party of People’s Freedom blasted the Medvedev government and the state oil company, Gazprom, for violating national laws and international accords. Vladimir Ryzhkov also hinted at corruption in the government’s project to build a natural gas pipeline across the Ukok Plateau, despite its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Ryzhkov served as a State Duma representative from 1993 to 2007 and currently hosts a political radio talk show.

October 25, 2011 – Negotiators failed to agree on financial terms for natural gas sales from Russia to China and construction of a pipeline across the Ukok Plateau, according to reports in NewEurope Online. See the report HERE.