Sechin Says Investors Have Nothing to Fear

By Citizen M | Published: February 22, 2011

Today’s Wall Street Journal has managed the feat of getting an interview (albeit a somewhat tetchy one) with siloviki chieftain and Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin.  The Rosneft Chairman had plenty to talk about regarding the new dispute-sparking deal with BP, whilst also refuting comparisons between Russia and Egypt, and blaming Google for manipulating the […]

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Gambling for Power

By Citizen M | Published:

The Moscow Times spoke yesterday of a turf war erupting between the Prosecutor General’s office and the recently created Investigative Committee.  The dispute stemmed from the recent gambling ring bust in Moscow’s suburbs, an illegal operation which was allegedly covered up by the Prosecutor General.  He has, along with several others, been suspended.  Russia Profile […]

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RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Feb 22, 2011

By Citizen M | Published:

TODAY: Gorbachev launches stinging verbal attack on Putin’s ‘overconfidence’; Khodorkovsky disheartened by prospect of PM’s possible return to power; Kudrin’s reform talk analyzed. Patriarch’s dacha plans upset environmentalists; Medvedev puts foot down on corruption in law enforcement; new police website; FSB chief ousted; terrorism concerns for Sochi; Kurils; Russia’s battle with heroin According to the […]

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Opposition Politicians Refute Medvedev’s Reform Rhetoric

By Citizen M | Published: February 21, 2011

Mikhail Kasyanov, Vladimir Milov, Boris Nemtsov and Vladimir Ryzhkov of the People’s Freedom Party, are taking no prisoners in a Washington Post op-ed: Contrary to the wishful thinking many in Russia and abroad expressed when Medvedev took office – by de facto appointment – in 2008, his presidency has demonstrated no signs that his pro-democracy […]

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Kudrin For Transparency?

By Citizen M | Published:

The Moscow Times’ Olga Razumovskaya is one the commentators to have remarked upon Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin’s unusual espousing of political reform at the end of last week.  The Minister told the Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum that only ‘just and fair’ elections ‘will give the mandate of trust that is necessary to undertake economic reforms’.  A […]

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RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Feb 21, 2011

By Citizen M | Published:

TODAY: Terrorists hit Caucasus ski resort; three tourists killed; bombs defused; security concerns over Sochi Olympics. Opposition leaders refute President’s reforming attempts; is Khordokovksy whistleblower a concern for Putin?  Extreme nationalism scrutinized in Markelov Baburova murder trial; Chapman in the Kurils; Russia says no to US bases in Afghanistan; alcohol; culture; cosmonauts A wave of […]

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Russia Still Failing on Rights, says UN Chief

By Citizen M | Published: February 18, 2011

,U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has concluded her five-day visit to Russia with, unsurprisingly, little in the way of compliments for the Russian government’s stance.  The scant praise she did offer was to President Medvedev for his ‘efforts’, albeit affirming they have yielded little success.  From UN news: Ms. Pillay said her […]

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RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Feb 18, 2011

By Citizen M | Published:

TODAY: UN Rights Chief criticizes Russian failings; support for Khodorkovsky whistleblower; wife of jailed activist threatened.  Russian anger at militant’s US talk invite; top official proposes mandatory DNA database for migrants; China denies collaboration with Russia in Kurils; Pope meets the President ‘Murders, intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders and investigative journalists and independent […]

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RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Feb 17, 2011

By Citizen M | Published: February 17, 2011

TODAY: Guardian reporter refused visa extension; Khodorkovsky whistleblower motives considered;  Sobyanin says no to gay marches; Putin chastises customs officials over rap video; nationalist movement to be banned?  Russia-Italy cooperation on Afghanistan; rapprochement for Orthodox and Catholic churches on the cards? Caucasus violence; military commander suggests Kuril missile plan overkill; mortality rates and climate change […]

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Ringing the Changes

By Citizen M | Published: February 16, 2011

It has been noted that the only salient agreement that seemed to emerge from the much-publicized meeting between Russian Foreign Secretary Sergei Lavrov and British counterpart William Hague was the news that a telephone hotline would be established, to, as logic would dictate, ease communication between the Kremlin and Downing Street.  (It would seem that […]

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