Category Archives: Vladimir Putin

The Matrix Strikes Back – the Sanctions and Russia’s Post-US Economic Model

Posted on May 1, 2014 by

Everyone agreed that the first round of Russia sanctions were laughably ineffective, aimed at a motley assortment of Kremlin B-teamers, whom Putin demoted to limit the damage they can cause and about whom Putin couldn’t care less. The second round … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Business and Economy, Chemezov, clans, corruption, Dmitry Medvedev, Economic development, economics, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, foreign policy, goskorporatsii, Government of Russia, Medvedev, offshore, power vertical, Putin, Putin's Plan, Rotenberg, rule of law, russia, Russian economy, siloviki, state corporations, strategic industries, Timchenko, u.s.-russia relations, Vladimir Putin | 4 Comments

How the ‘Experts Case’ Explains Everything that’s Happening in Russia Right Now

Posted on August 10, 2013 by

As covered in the previous post, in June a prominent Russian economist – Sergey Guriev – fled Russia after investigators began targeting him in the case of a 2011 report on the human rights implications of Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s ongoing incarceration. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bastrykin, Chaika, criminal law, Dmitry Medvedev, Economic development, economics, Government of Russia, Guriev, investigative committee, legislation, Medvedev, mvd, officials, prosecutor general, Putin, rule of law, russia, Russian economy, siloviki, u.s.-russia relations, Vladimir Putin | 2 Comments

War on Corruption – What to Make of the Latest Scandals?

Posted on December 7, 2012 by

Update: for the Russian speakers, today Kommersant put up an excellent resource on its website, with an infographic on the latest scandals and corruption generally, and links to articles on everything I cover below. Of particular interest – the total financial losses collectively inflicted … Continue reading →

Posted in bribery, bribes, bureaucracy, clans, corruption, criminal law, Dmitry Medvedev, mvd, Putin, Rostekhnologii, russia, siloviki, Vladimir Putin, war on corruption | 1 Comment

What to Make of Putin’s Anti-Offshore Crusade

Posted on January 22, 2012 by

Last month, PM Putin addressed the Government Commission on Electricity Generation. At the meeting, Putin launched into a searing critique of Russian companies using offshore “front companies.” Indeed, Putin noted, “Taking the Russian economy and its strategic sectors out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Business and Economy, corruption, Dmitry Medvedev, Gazprom, goskorporatsii, legal update, offshore, PM Putin, President Medvedev, Rostekhnologii, russia, state corporations, utilities companies, Vedomosti, Vladimir Putin, war on corruption | 2 Comments

2012 Presidential Campaign Launches in Russian Style – Part II

Posted on April 11, 2011 by

[TRM’s second installment on recent events in Russia] Medvedev made quite a few headlines two weeks ago with a series of moves that signaled a renewed push to ‘improve the investment climate’ in Russia.  This is, of course, not a … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, clans, compliance, corruption, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, goskorporatsii, Government of Russia, Kremlinology, ldpr, Medvedev, oligarchs, PM Putin, power vertical, President Medvedev, Putin, Putin's Plan, rule of law, russia, Russian economy, siloviki, state corporations, strategic industries, tandemocracy, Vedomosti, Vladimir Putin | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

2012 Presidential Campaign Launches in Russian Style – Part I

Posted on April 1, 2011 by

A number of recent events in Russia show that the 2012 Russian presidential election campaign is in full swing.  In keeping with true Russian style, this campaign is aimed not at a mass Russian audience, but rather the political/economic elites involved … Continue reading →

Posted in Bastrykin, Chaika, clans, criminal law, Dmitry Medvedev, elections, konovalov, Kremlinology, Medvedev, PM Putin, politicians, power vertical, President Medvedev, prosecutor general, siloviki, vinnichenko, Vladimir Putin, Zubkov | 2 Comments

Strategic Sectors Law Update – Draft Amendments and First Meeting of 2011

Posted on March 30, 2011 by

Strategic Sectors Law Amendments On February 17, the Russian government submitted amendments to the Strategic Sectors law.  The only substantive change the amendments address is the ownership issue I covered here – i.e., that the law currently applies to any … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, Government of Russia, Law, legal update, legislation, moscow, oligarchs, PM Putin, Putin, reform, reserves, russia, Russian economy, strategic industries, Vladimir Putin | 1 Comment