Month: January 2016
RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2016-21 :: Friday, 29 January 2016
[check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2016-#21 Friday 29 January 2016 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs The contents do not necessarily represent the views of IERES or the George Washington University. JRL homepage: russialist.org – JRL […]
» Read moreFukuyama: ‘Putinism,’ Radical Islam No Alternative To Liberal Democracy
(RFE/RL – January 29, 2016) Russian President Vladimir Putin and the extremist Islamic State group are sworn enemies that might seem to have little in common. But both are engaged in efforts at state building that U.S. political scientist Francis Fukuyama says share two qualities: each seeks to create a political alternative to a modern liberal democracy, and each is […]
» Read moreWho benefits and who loses from revocation of anti-Iranian sanctions
If Moscow plays its cards correctly, it will be able to strengthen its positions not only in Iran but also throughout the entire Middle East. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – GEVORG MIRZAYAN – January 29, 2016) The lifting of sanctions against Iran has generated an entire wave of speculation about the upcoming reformation of the Middle East. However, […]
» Read moreThe Upside of a Down Ruble
(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Peter Hobson – January 29, 2016) President Vladimir Putin chose an unfortunate time to trumpet the “additional opportunities” for Russian companies arising from a weaker ruble. As he spoke to delegates at a business forum on Jan. 20, the Russian currency was gyrating wildly. The next day it plummeted to its lowest level in recent […]
» Read moreInterfax: Russian Investigative Committee completes inquiry against five Nemtsov murder suspects – Markin
MOSCOW. Jan 29 (Interfax) – The Russian Investigative Committee has informed the suspects and their lawyers that it has completed its criminal inquiry opened into the murder of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, the committee’s spokesman Vladimir Markin told Interfax on Friday. “Today, the suspects in this criminal case have been informed that the investigation has been completed, and in […]
» Read moreRussia’s Great Shift Downward; Putin has shown little interest in changing the economic model.
(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Carol Matlack – January 28, 2016) For Russia’s battered economy, 2016 already looks miserable. The ruble has slumped to record lows as oil prices have fallen 11 percent since Jan. 1, to around $30 a barrel. The government, which gets nearly half its revenue from oil and gas, is scrambling to plug a 1.5 trillion-ruble ($19.2 […]
» Read moreInterfax: Putin has not yet decided whether he will run for president in 2018 – Peskov
MOSCOW. Jan 29 (Interfax) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has not decided yet whether he will run for president in 2018, his press officer Dmitry Peskov said. The question as to whether Putin will nominate his candidacy in the upcoming elections arose in connection with the statements about the Russian president made by a White House official, who accused the […]
» Read moreTranscript of Ambassador Tefft’s Interview with Russian Wire Services
(US Embassy Moscow – January 28, 2016) Ambassador John F. Tefft: I thought I’d start and say a couple of words, and then I’d take your questions to focus on what you want to talk about. I was back in Washington for a few weeks to see my children and my grandchildren. Like a good grandfather, I should be going […]
» Read moreRussia Sanctions Can Be Lifted If Minsk Implemented – U.S. Ambassador
(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – January 29, 2016) Sanctions against Moscow can be lifted after it implements the Minsk peace agreement with Ukraine, including restoration of Kiev control over separatist eastern regions, the U.S. Ambassador in Moscow John Tefft said in an interview published on the U.S. Embassy’s website Thursday. Washington has the full backing of its European allies in […]
» Read moreNEWSLINK TASS: “Almost 50% of Russians fear repetition of 1998 economic crisis – pollster”
NEWSLINK: “130 Years Ago: ‘War and Peace’ Finally Published in English” – New York Times
NEWSLINK: “All the Russian Words You Need to Discuss the Litvinenko Inquiry” – Moscow Times/Michele Berdy
RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2016-20 :: Thursday, 28 January 2016
[check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2016-#20 Thursday 28 January 2016 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs The contents do not necessarily represent the views of IERES or the George Washington University. JRL homepage: russialist.org – JRL […]
» Read moreChechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Losing Popularity Among Russians – Poll
(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – January 27, 2016) Ramzan Kadyrov is losing support among ordinary Russians, a new poll published Thursday showed, amid increasing concern that his aggressive response toward those who question his authority might spill outside Chechnya’s borders. Asked by the independent Levada Center pollster what they thought of Kadyrov, 17 percent of respondents said they felt “respect” […]
» Read moreRussia Improves Position in International Corruption Rating
(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – January 27, 2016) Russia was ranked 119th – together with Azerbaijan, Guyana and Sierra Leone – in Transparency International’s 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index, up 17 points from its 2014 position. The rating was published on Transparency International’s website. In the 2014 index, Russia was ranked 136th, just behind Nigeria. Russia was 127th in 2013 and […]
» Read moreSweden delivers judgment in favor of Russia in dispute with Yukos holders
(Interfax – January 28, 2016) A Swedish appeals court upheld Russia’s appeal filed earlier in its dispute with the Spanish investment funds, which were holders of American Depositary Receipts (‘ADRs’) of Yukos, Kommersant newspaper reported on Jan. 28. The appeals court acknowledged the fact that the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce that sustained the funds’ claims to […]
» Read moreRBTH: Investors could benefit from Russia’s economic turmoil
As the Russian economy hits hard times, with business incomes falling, government spending facing cuts and the ruble losing value, RBTH spoke to Sergei Katyrin, president of Russia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to find out how foreign companies are enduring the current “perfect storm” for business. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – ILYA KROL, RBTH – January 28, […]
» Read moreFewer Russians Think Country Is on the Right Track – Poll
(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – January 27, 2016) The number of Russians who think their country is on the right track has shrunk to 45 percent of the population – the lowest in more than a year – and President Vladimir Putin’s approval ratings have dipped for the first time in many months, a poll released Wednesday by the independent […]
» Read moreTRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Meeting with Government members
(Kremlin.ru -January 27, 2016) Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Government members on support measures for various sectors and other current issues. The meeting began with a report, at the President’s request, from Healthcare Minister Veronika Skvortsova on the epidemiological situation in Russia. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues. Today, we will discuss support measures for several economic […]
» Read moreTRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Meeting of the Russian Popular Front’s (ONF) interregional forum
(Kremlin.ru – January 25, 2016) (transcript continued) Vladimir Putin took part in a plenary session of the Russian Popular Front public movement’s interregional forum. Vladimir Putin: With regard to inflation: we must watch carefully to ensure people’s living standards stay at a high enough level, because in modern conditions, in today’s economic conditions, this is probably the most important thing […]
» Read moreRussian Investigative Committee gives ICC data on S. Ossetia conflict crimes
(Interfax – January 28, 2016) The Russian Investigative Committee has provided the International Criminal Court (ICC) with the files of a criminal case opened into the crimes committed during the 2008 armed conflict in South Ossetia, Investigative Committee director Alexander Bastrykin has said. “The Investigative Committee of Russia conducted a thorough investigation into the crimes committed by the Georgian military,” […]
» Read moreAndrew Davies’ New ‘War and Peace’ Takes the Small Screen by Storm
(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Des Brown – January 27, 2016) British screenwriter Andrew Davies is television’s best English literature lecturer. He introduced homicidal British Prime Minister Francis Urquhart to BBC viewers in the “House of Cards” trilogy between 1990 and 1995. Just over two decades ago, a wet-shirted Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy captured the national imagination in Davies’ […]
» Read moreUkraine’s Graft Fight Shows Little Progress, Transparency Says
(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Volodymyr Verbyany – January 27, 2016) Ukraine’s efforts to stamp out corruption last year brought scant progress, according to Transparency International, which said civil society, journalists and whistle-blowers have been more effective than government officials in combating graft. The former Soviet republic’s score rose “only one additional point” in the 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index, the Berlin-based […]
» Read morePutin’s Departure Alone Won’t Necessarily Solve Ukraine’s Problems, Popovich Says
(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, January 28, 2016) Like many in the West, Ukrainians view Vladimir Putin as the main source of their problems; but if he dies or otherwise leaves the scene, a Kyiv commentator says, he could be followed by leaders who would be even worse, a reminder that the problem is not Putin alone […]
» Read moreNEWSLINK: “Security Before Politics in Eastern Ukraine There can be no free elections in the region so long as Russia’s tanks still roam free.” -Wall Street Journal/Wall Street Journal/Linas Linkevicius
NEWSLINK: “Making Sense of Minsk: Decentralization, Special Status, and Federalism” – Atlantic Council/Paul Niland
NEWSLINK AP: “Putin Aide: Kiev Refuses to Honor Minsk Deal”
NEWSLINK Interfax-Ukraine: “Two thirds of Ukrainian face corruption in 2015, corruption is key problem of Ukraine – poll.”
NEWSLINK: “Ukraine’s central bank downgrades 2016 growth forecast” – AFP
NEWSLINK: “The Tide Is Going Out on Putin” – RAND Corporation/William Courtney, Donald Jensen
NEWSLINK CNBC: “Why Russia’s pivot East is crucial for its own survival”
NEWSLINK Wall Street Journal: “Europe Curbing Defence Cuts to Counter ‘More Assertive Russia,’ Says NATO.”
NEWSLINK Militarytimes.com: “Russian aggression a top concern in U.S. European Command’s new military strategy”
NEWSLINK: “Lights Out for the Putin Regime. The Coming Russian Collapse.” – Foreign Affairs/Alexander Motyl
NEWSLINK Militarytimes.com: “U.S. vs. Russia: What a war would look like between the world’s most fearsome militaries. VLADIMIR PUTIN’S BRAZEN MOVES IN SYRIA AND UKRAINE RAISE NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT AMERICA’S CONTINGENCY PLANS.”
NEWSLINK Wall Street Journal: “Russia Ready for Talks With OPEC Over Potential ‘Coordination on Production.’ Talks in February would assess changes in market situation, says Russian Oil Minister.”
NEWSLINK Irrussianality/Paul Robinson: “PUTIN ON COMMUNISM”
NEWSLINK Reuters: “International Court to Investigate 2008 Georgia-Russia War”
NEWSLINK TheDailyBeast.com: “Vladimir Putin’s Ex-Wife Finds a New, Younger Love.”
Article on Russian-Chechen Tensions Draws Chechen Ire
(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Anna Dolgov – January 27, 2016) Chechnya’s regional legislature has demanded an investigation for possible “extremism” into an article by a Russian political analyst who wrote that mutual resentment between Russians and Chechens has been growing and was on the verge of an “explosion.” Magomed Daudov, speaker of the Chechen parliament, said political analyst Andrei […]
» Read moreTRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Working meeting with Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev
(Kremlin.ru – January 26, 2016) Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Minister of Economic Development Alexei Ulyukayev to discuss current economic situation. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Ulyukayev, we are summing up last year’s results. Though it may yet be early to speak of final results, the numbers at the disposal of your Ministry are very close to […]
» Read moreNine lingering myths about Russia
We are often held prisoner by imposed stereotypes and opinions about countries, people and events. RBTH has collected nine myths about Russia that are far from accurate. (Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – NATALYA PUKHOVA, SPECIAL TO RBTH – January 26, 2016) 1. The death rate in Russia is higher than its birth rate There is a widespread belief […]
» Read moreRUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2016-19 :: Wednesday, 27 January 2016
[check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2016-#19 Wednesday 27 January 2016 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs The contents do not necessarily represent the views of IERES or the George Washington University. JRL homepage: russialist.org – JRL […]
» Read moreRussians suggest state should save money on officials, not on social policy
(Interfax – January 27, 2016) In the situation of the crisis, Russians support the idea of saving money on officials, but believe it is unacceptable to cut the costs of healthcare, social policy, science and education, sociologists have reported, citing a poll conducted by VTsIOM. The poll, which surveyed 1,600 people, in 130 populated areas in 46 regions, was conducted […]
» Read moreSliding Support: It’s been two years since Euromaidan in Ukraine. What does polling and economic data show?
(RFE/RL – January 24, 2016) [Graphics and links here rferl.org/fullinfographics/infographics/sliding-support-ukraine/27499595.html] Leadership: Waning Optimism Petro Poroshenko’s approval rating at the end of 2015 fell to just 17% — significantly lower than Viktor Yanukovych’s 28% before he was ousted. According to a January 2016 survey from Gallup, this low rating reflects Ukrainians’ growing dissatisfaction with Poroshenko’s leadership. Economy World Bank data suggests […]
» Read moreMoscow’s Art Exhibition for the Record Books
(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Andrei Muchnik – January 26, 2016) This past week Moscow, news has been dominated by events at the Valentin Serov retrospective at the Tretyakov Gallery. First the television shows broadcast President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the show, then the ever-growing crowds of people who came to see the exhibition in its final week, followed by […]
» Read moreInterfax: Putin says he likes Communist ideas echoing Bible’s
(Interfax – January 26, 2016) Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he still likes the ideas of Communism and that he has not ditched his party member ID card. “You know, just like millions of Soviet citizens – 20-odd million people – I was a member of the USSR Communist Party, and not just a Communist Party member, but […]
» Read morePutin, Trapped Between War and Revolution, Will Choose War, Ikhlov Says
(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, February 2, 2016) There are two possibilities in Russia today: either Vladimir Putin is in control of events or he is their prisoner, trapped between war and revolution. As bad as the first would be, the way the world has gone to war in the past suggests the second may be even […]
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