TODAY: Kudrin’s attempt to mediate dialogue of unrest falters; Voters’ League created; Medvedev proposes electing governors; one-man demonstration for the opposition, Barnaul activists employ toys; Putin article lacks detail; Phobos-Grunt investigation.

In an article published yesterday in Izvestia, ‘which opponents said was short on specifics’, Vladimir Putin has attempted to justify his bid for the presidency, promising to help Russia continue on its path of ‘stability’ once he returns to the presidency, and arguing that the main driver for economic growth should be ‘the initiative of the people’.  Observers are noting the lack of detail in Putin’s election platform.  Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin’s attempt to organise dialogue between the Kremlin and the organisers of planned demonstrations in February and March is faltering, he says, because neither side is willing to compromise.  Kudrin says he supports the creation of the Voters’ League movement.  Outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev has proposed a law to restore the direct election of governors.  A working group to memorialise victims of political oppression in Russia, established by Medvedev last month, has held its first session.  Yevgeny Yushkov has staged a one-man protest in Kirov outside the local FSB branch against ‘the persecution of the Russian opposition’.  Activists in Barnaul are attempting to avoid arrests by placing toys bearing mini-placards in the city’s main square – dubbing it a ‘nano demonstration’.