Türkiye and Slovakia Get US Waiver Extension for Gas Payments to Russia

Representation photo: The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora (Daura) Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
Representation photo: The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora (Daura) Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
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Türkiye and Slovakia Get US Waiver Extension for Gas Payments to Russia

Representation photo: The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora (Daura) Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
Representation photo: The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora (Daura) Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)

Türkiye and Slovakia have received extensions from the United States to waivers for gas payments to Russia, sources told Reuters on Thursday, adding that the extensions would be valid until May.

In November, Washington imposed new sanctions over the Ukraine conflict on Russia's Gazprombank, one of the country's largest banks which receives payments for natural gas from Gazprom's customers in Europe.

Türkiye, along with Hungary and Slovakia, received a US waiver in December, removing a major hurdle to paying for the gas they receive from Russia via the TurkStream gas pipeline.

Türkiye's energy ministry declined to comment, while Türkiye's treasury and Slovakia's economy ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Hungary had not commented on the waiver extension at the time of writing.

Türkiye and Hungary receive Russian gas via the TurkStream pipeline under the Black Sea.

Since the end of Ukraine's transit of Russian gas to Europe at the end of last year, Slovakia has had to rely on supplies from Hungary, but its main gas importer SPP said in February that Gazprom had begun supplying it again, using volumes given up by Hungary on the TurkStream pipeline.



China Issues Tax Refund Policies for Foreign Tourists to Boost Inbound Consumption

People walk in the Central Business District (CBD) area in Beijing in Beijing, China, 24 April 2025.  EPA/WU HAO
People walk in the Central Business District (CBD) area in Beijing in Beijing, China, 24 April 2025. EPA/WU HAO
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China Issues Tax Refund Policies for Foreign Tourists to Boost Inbound Consumption

People walk in the Central Business District (CBD) area in Beijing in Beijing, China, 24 April 2025.  EPA/WU HAO
People walk in the Central Business District (CBD) area in Beijing in Beijing, China, 24 April 2025. EPA/WU HAO

China said on Sunday it will improve tax refund policies for foreign tourists to boost inbound consumption, part of efforts to boost the economy as domestic demand remains tepid.

China will promote the expansion of tax refund stores in shopping areas, scenic spots, airports and hotels, according to a statement released jointly by the commerce ministry and other departments.

The minimum refund point for one overseas traveler in the same tax-refund shop on the same day will be lowered to 200 yuan ($27.45) from 500 yuan before, the statement said.