Johnson’s Russia List :: 2013-#228 :: 18 December 2013

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Johnson’s Russia List :: 2013-#228 :: 18 December 2013
E-Mail: davidjohnson@starpower.net
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POLITICS

1. Paul Goble: Window on Eurasia: ‘Vladimir Putin as a Religious Type’
2. Business New Europe: Ben Aris, Novi Russky RIP.
3. Interfax: Russian population rises by 261,600 in 10M due to migration – Rosstat.
4. Moscow Times: What the Papers Say, Dec. 18, 2013.
5. Valdai Discussion Club: Alexander Rahr, Third Russia: Putin Dots His I’s in the State of the Nation Address.
6. Moskovsky Komsomolets: Commentary: Putin Message Takes ‘Political Initiative,’ Launches ‘Conservative Counterrevolution.’ (Mikhail Rostovsky)
7. Rossiiskaya Gazeta: General Prosecutor Chayka Interviewed on 20 Years of Work to Protect Citizens’ Rights.
8. Reuters: Russian amnesty to benefit Pussy Riot, Greenpeace 30.
9. Interfax: Amnesty declared not resolving issue of disproportionate charges in Russia – human rights activists.
10. Moscow Times: Internet Extremism Bill Passes First Duma Reading.
11. Moscow Rossiya 1 TV: Russian state TV talk show discusses ethnic relations.
12. Moscow Times: Yulia Latynina, The New State Media Behemoth.
13. Interfax: Evidence collection for third Yukos case started directly after 2nd conviction – source.
14. AP: Sochi Olympic Critics Harassed, Treated Like Terrorists.
15. RFE/RL: U.S. Ambassador Says No Boycott Of Sochi.
16. RIA Novosti: Obama to Skip Sochi Games in Apparent Snub Over Anti-Gay Law.
17. Carnegie Moscow Center: Thomas de Waal, An East-West Gay Rights Divide.

ECONOMY

18. Moscow Times: 5 Stories From Put-Upon Small Business in Moscow.
19. ITAR-TASS: Ulyukayev: Russian economy to benefit from WTO Bali Package
20. Russia Beyond the Headlines: The weak ruble is a signal to buy shares–or more caviar. The ruble’s value decreased 11 percent in 2013, making it a good time for foreign investors to invest or spend more money in Russia.
21. Moscow Times: Anders Aslund, Putin’s Conservative State Capitalism.
22. ITAR-TASS: GMO debates rage unabated in Russia.
23. Moscow Times: Construction of New Pipeline from North Siberia to China Kicks Off.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

24. Reuters: Russia agrees $15 billion bailout of Ukraine, fuelling protests.
25. RIA Novosti: Russia Condemns Pressure on Ukraine to Turn Towards Europe.
26. New York Times: Ukraine’s Prime Minister Hails Deal With Russia.
27. Reuters: Russia says Ukraine bailout benefits both economies.
28. ITAR-TASS: Putin and Yanukovich agree on lower gas price. Russian Press Review.
29. ITAR-TASS: Moscow talks help Ukraine avoid default, expert opinions differ on long-term effects.
30. Interfax: Gazprom slashes gas price for Ukraine by third, looks at new model of relations.
31. RIA Novosti: Gazprom Could Lose Billions Over Ukraine Gas Deal ­- Analyst.
32. Kremlin.ru: Meeting with President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych.
33. Kremlin.ru: Speech at a meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian Interstate Commission.
34. Business New Europe: Lilit Gevorgyan, Ukraine, Russia deal is a bandage not a remedy.
35. Carnegie Moscow Center: Dmitri Trenin, The Battle for Ukraine.
36. Wall Street Journal: Analysts Weigh In on Ukraine’s Russian Lifeline.
37. Moscow Ekho Moskvy Online: Russian deputy PM paints grim picture of EU integration for Ukraine, Moldova. (Dmitriy Rogozin)
38. ITAR-TASS: Walesa: Ukraine’s opposition leader Klitschko not ready to rule his country.
39. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Ukrainian Opposition Warns That Russian Black Sea Fleet May Be Planning Coup in the Crimea.
40. 4 News (UK): Far-right group at heart of Ukraine protests meet US senator.
41. Wall Street Journal editorial: The Putin Crony Rescue Fund. Russia raises the bidding to keep Ukraine in the Kremlin maw.
42. Moskovsky Komsomolets: Russia Urged To Base Ukraine Policy on ‘Cold Calculation’ To Counter Western Pressure on Kyiv. (Mikhail Rostovsky)
43. RFE/RL: Interview: U.S. Senator McCain Discusses Pro-EU Demonstrations In Ukraine.
44. www.foreignaffairs.com: Orlando Figes, There Is No Ukraine. Why Ukrainian Nationalism Isn’t Historical Reality.
45. Interfax: Moscow to respond proportionally in case Washington expands Magnitsky List – official.
46. Interfax: NATO refuses to cooperate with CSTO in fighting Afghan drugs for ideological reasons – Lavrov.