Fraser Cameron of the E.U.-Russia Centre provides his appraisal of Dmitry Medvedev’s first year as President of the Russian Federation.

Another survey, by the E.U.-Russia Center, shows that most Russians consider the top three issues facing Russia to be the fight against corruption, the establishment of an independent judiciary and the need to diversify the economy. But a clear majority was pessimistic about whether Medvedev could achieve these goals.

When he moved into the Kremlin last May, Medvedev said that his most important task was the “further development of civil and economic freedoms.” As a lawyer, he talked of tackling the culture of “legal nihilism” and of the importance of stamping out corruption.

One year on, there are few results to show. Indeed, the show trial currently underway of the former Yukos boss, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, is testimony to how little has changed. (…)