Category: Politics, Government, Protests, Elections

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections

Ethnic Clashes Replacing Political Protests as Dominant Form of Public Activism in Russia, Pain Says

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Race, Ethnic, Extremism, Xenophobia, Regions, Cities, Municipalities
Kremlin and Saint Basil's

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, February 13, 2014) Ethnic clashes especially in the regions appear to have displaced political protests in Moscow as the dominant form of activism in the Russian Federation, a trend certain to have dangerous consequences given that the authorities are far less concerned about the former than the latter, according to Russia’s leading […]

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Moscow Duma Says Dzerzhinsky Will Not Return to Lubyanka

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Spies, Spy Allegations

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – D. Garrison Golubock – February 12, 2014)  A statue of Felix Dzerzhinsky or Iron Felix, a Bolshevik revolutionary and founder of the Cheka, the predecessor of the KGB, will not be restored to its erstwhile location on Lubyanskaya Ploshchad, the Moscow Duma’s committee on monuments announced Tuesday. “Restoration of the monument is impractical at the […]

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Russian Opposition Envies Ukrainians’ Willingness to Face Bullets

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
European Portion of Commonwealth of Independent States

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Oleg Sukhov – February 12, 2014) When Russian anti-government activists look over the border at the political standoff in Ukraine, they can not help but feel pangs of envy. While the anti-Kremlin protests that began in late 2011 sputtered and faded over the course of the year, with few tangible results, Ukraine’s Euromaidan movement has […]

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NEWSLINK: The Russian National Hobby – to Build Potemkin Village

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Saint Basil's

[“The Russian National Hobby-to Build Potemkin Village” – Carnegie Moscow Center – Lilia Shevtsova – February 11, 2014 – http://carnegie.ru/eurasiaoutlook/?fa=54483] Lilia Shevtsova comments on the public relations impact of the Sochi Olympics, and some of the challenges facing Russia: … the opening ceremony was indeed a fairy tale — an artists’ myth of Russia that does not exist. … … […]

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Draft Bill for Postal Privatization Submitted

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Saint Basil's

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – February 11, 2014) The Communications and Press Ministry has submitted a draft bill to the government that would reorganize Russian Post and pave the way for the flotation of the company’s shares, Interfax reported Tuesday. The move is part of an overall strategy that would not only make Russian Post financially independent by 2018, but […]

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Interfax: Russian president’s spokesman says proud of Sochi Olympic infrastructure

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Sochi Olympics Banner Near Highway in Warm Weather with Vehicle and Cyclicsts Nearby

(Interfax – Moscow, February 10, 2014) The scandals and nerve-wrecking events surrounding the Olympics have faded into the background, replaced with pride for the facilities constructed, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitriy Peskov has said. “This is an utterly extraordinary event. I am looking at what is happening and a sense of pride overtakes me. And all the nerve-wrecking things, all the […]

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Interfax: Moscow commission rules not to reinstall monument to Dzerzhinsky on Lubyanskaya Square

History, Soviet Union, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Partial FSB Headquarters Building Facade

MOSCOW. Feb 11 (Interfax) – The Moscow City Duma’s monumental art commission unanimously decided on Tuesday not to return a monument to Felix Dzerzhinsky, a prominent Soviet statesman and founder of the Soviet security services, to Lubyanskaya Square in central Moscow. “Taking into account the current circumstances in society, I propose refraining from returning the monument. This is more of […]

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It’s Bolotnaya, But Not As We Know It

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
iPad file photo

(RFE/RL – rferl.org – Tom Balmforth – MOSCOW – February 07, 2014) They’re gearing up to march on Moscow’s Bolotnaya Square. Two years ago, protesters rallied there against electoral fraud in the wake of the disputed December 2011 State Duma elections. In May 2012, they clashed with police on the eve of President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration. And, on February 8, […]

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Pussy Riot Invades America and Everything in Russia is Awful as Putin’s Olympics Begin: A Historical Perspective

History, Soviet Union, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Saint Basil's

Subject: Pussy Riot Invades America and Everything in Russia is Awful as Putin’s Olympics Begin:A Historical Perspective Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2014 From: Sarah Lindemann-Komarova <echosiberia@gmail.com> Pussy Riot Invades America and Everything in Russia is Awful as Putin’s Olympics Begin: A Historical Perspective By Sarah Lindemann-Komarova [Siberian-based civil society development activist] Over the last few weeks the Western media “everything […]

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Interfax: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Nuland, Ukrainian opposition leaders discusses situation in Ukraine

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Victoria Nuland file photo

KYIV. Feb 6 (Interfax) – U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and Ukrainian opposition leaders Arseniy Yatseniuk of the Batkivschyna faction, Vitaliy Klitschko of the UDAR party and Oleh Tyagnibok of the Freedom party have discussed resolving the social and political crisis in Ukraine. The parties have discussed the situation in Ukraine during a meeting held in Kyiv on […]

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Writers Denounce Repressive Russian Laws in Open Letter

Human Rights, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Moscow Environs Aerial View

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Jennifer Monaghan – February 6, 2014) More than 200 writers from around the world have signed an open letter to the Russian authorities denouncing the introduction of gay-propaganda and blasphemy laws in Russia, which they call an attack on freedom of expression. We “cannot stand quietly by as we watch our fellow writers and journalists […]

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Interfax: West will stop criticizing Russia if it becomes weak – Putin’s spokesman

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
World Map Showing Continents, Greens, Browns, Ice

(Interfax – Moscow, February 5, 2014) The West will stop criticizing Russia and will start loving it only if it becomes defenceless and weak, the Russian president’s press secretary Dmitriy Peskov has said. “When we disband our army, give out concessions for all our natural resources and sell all our land to Western investors, then they will stop criticizing us. […]

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Interfax: Medvedev orders analyzing relocation of HQs of some state-own companies, government bodies to Far East – deputy PM

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Dmitry Medvedev file photo

MOSCOW. Feb 5 (Interfax) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has ordered analyzing the possibility of relocating the main offices of a number of major companies partly or wholly owned by the state and a number of federal government bodies to the Far East, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev told […]

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TRANSCRIPT: [Putin] Visit to Persian Leopard Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre

Environment, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Sports, Olympics, World Cup
Sochi 2014

(cc – February 4, 2014) Vladimir Putin visited the Persian Leopard Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre at the Sochi National Park. Vladimir Putin toured the Centre together with IOC Executive Director for the Olympic Games Gilbert Felli and IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Jean-Claude Killy. The Centre was set up in 2009 within the framework of the programme to restore the Persian […]

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Putin Doesn’t Want to Be a Stalin But He May End a Milosevic, Russian Analysts Say

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Vladimir Putin Sitting at Desk

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, February 5, 2014) Russian President Vladimir Putin does not aspire to become a new Stalin as long as he is able to maintain power and profitability without the use of the totalitarian violence of the Soviet dictator, according to one Russian analyst, but he may become a Milosevich by his incautious actions […]

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TRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Opening of International Olympic Committee session in Sochi

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sochi 2014

(Kremlin.ru – February 4, 2014) Vladimir Putin spoke at the opening of the 126th session of the International Olympic Committee, held in Sochi ahead of the Winter Olympic Games. PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN: Ladies and gentlemen, friends, President Bach, I am truly happy to welcome you to Sochi, which is hosting the XXII Winter Olympic Games. We are only […]

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Putin Rolls Out His English for IOC Opening in Sochi

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Sports, Olympics, World Cup
Sochi 2014

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Christopher Brennan – February 5, 2014) President Vladimir Putin concluded the 126th session of the International Olympic Committee in Sochi on Tuesday evening just as he delivered Russia’s appeal to committee voters in Guatemala in 2007 before they chose a city for the Winter Games: in English. “Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen! I declare the […]

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Interfax: Russian bill tightening liability for extremism signed into law

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Race, Ethnic, Extremism, Xenophobia
Kremlin and Saint Basil's

MOSCOW. Feb 4 (Interfax) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill that toughens liability for extremism-related crimes. The document amends Russia’s Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure, according to the authorities’ legal information website. “In an effort to neutralize the threats to national security posed by the destructive activities of religious organizations on Russian territory, […]

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Putin Arrives in Sochi Ahead of Winter Olympics Curtain-Raiser

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Sports, Olympics, World Cup
File Photo of Sochi Olympics Banner Near Highway in Warm Weather with Vehicle and Cyclicsts Nearby

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Christopher Brennan – February 4, 2014) President Vladimir Putin arrived in the Winter Olympic city of Sochi on Tuesday to play host to visitors three days before the opening ceremony. After arriving in Sochi, Putin visited Sochi National Park and an animal breeding and rehabilitation center that was built using budget funds set aside for […]

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TRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Meeting of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art Presidium

Life in Russia, Culture, Arts, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Saint Basil's

(Kremlin.ru – February 3, 2014) Vladimir Putin chaired an expanded meeting of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art Presidium on developing theatre. Before the start of the meeting, the President visited the Pskov Academic Drama Theatre, which recently underwent restoration and construction work. Speech at a meeting of the Council for Culture and Art Presidium PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR […]

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Putin chooses Olympic Games venue himself – television

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections

(Interfax – February 3, 2014) Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had personally chosen the venue of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. “I am especially pleased to see what is going on here because I chose this venue personally. I came here by UAZ [car] in 2001 or 2002, we drove around, came to the bank of that river and […]

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Growing Inequality among Russia’s Regions Undermines Power Vertical, Moscow Geographer Says

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Regions, Cities, Municipalities
Map of Russia

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble) Staunton, February 2 – Growing inequality in the economic performance of Russia’s regions requires that the regions be given more authority to make decisions, a grant that many in Moscow are reluctant to make because that will undermine Vladimir Putin’s “power vertical” and threaten the country with disintegration, according to a Moscow geographer. In […]

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Comment on the Economist editorial entitled “The triumph of Vladimir Putin” (JRL 2014-#21)

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Saint Basil's

Subject: Comment on the Economist editorial entitled “The triumph of Vladimir Putin” (JRL 2014-#21) Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2014 From: Ben Aris <editor@bne.eu> [Editor, Business New Europe] I have to comment on the Economist editorial entitled “The triumph of Vladimir Putin” (JRL 2014-#22) as it is a classic example of Russian bashing that is full of mistakes, half-truths, omissions and […]

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Struggle over Arctic Not as Imminent as Many Imagine, Moscow Scholar Says

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Polar Bear on Ice and Snow with Water Nearby

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, January 28, 2014) Claims by Russia, Denmark and Norway to portions of the Arctic Ocean and its mineral-rich seabed have sparked concerns about possible economic and even military conflicts there in the near term, but according to a Moscow scholar, such concerns are overblown at least in the short term. In “Nezavisimaya […]

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Putin’s Russia Will Prosper Until It Doesn’t

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Cash, Coins, Line Graph

(Bloomberg editorial – bloomberg.com – January 30, 2014) The recurrent turmoil in emerging markets raises a difficult question about Russia: Is it a fundamentally sound economy that can weather the storm, or a corrupt autocracy headed for disaster? Unsatisfying as it may be, the answer is both. As the U.S. Federal Reserve starts to pull back on its extraordinary stimulus […]

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A non-review of Anna Arutunyan’s ‘The Putin Mystique’

Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Vladimir Putin Sitting at Desk

(Moscow News – themoscownews.com – Natalia Antonova – January 30, 2014) Anna Arutunyan’s “The Putin Mystique” came out in Britain this week, and this article is not an attempt to review the book. Although we frequently highlight the accomplishments of our friends and colleagues as part of the buys of the week rubric, an actual review of Anna’s book would […]

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Echoing Soviet Era, Putin Uses Oil Giant Rosneft to Tighten Economic Grip

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Oil, Gas, Energy, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo Rosneft and Russian Flags Next to Rosneft Banner

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Irina Reznik, Stephen Bierman and Henry Meyer – January 30, 2014) The record stretched across the history of the party and its socialist predecessor — from the first meeting in March 1898 to the last one in July 1990, a year and a half before the Soviet Union collapsed, Bloomberg Markets will report in its March […]

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Russian financial watchdog says regions lack funds to implement Putin’s orders

Budget, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Regions, Cities, Municipalities
Map of Russia

(RIA Novosti -January 29, 2014) The Russian regions do not have sufficient funds to implement the May [2012] orders of Russian President [Vladimir Putin], the Audit Chamber has said. The watchdog has come to this conclusion as a result of the monitoring of the regional situation. The most acute situation has emerged in connection with order No 600 about measures […]

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Russian State Duma: ‘Possessed printer’ or executor of the people’s will?

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Russian State Duma Building file photo

(Moscow News – themoscownews.com – Natalia Antonova – January 29, 2014) Whether you’re sick of people’s garlic breath on public transportation, or else scandalized by frank discussion of sex on TV, you may rest assured that someone in the State Duma is probably working on introducing a law addressing your very concerns. In 2013 alone, 1,513 new legislative initiatives and […]

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Interfax: Poll shows 65% of Russians approve Putin’s performance – poll

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Vladimir Putin Sitting at Desk

MOSCOW. Jan 30 (Interfax) – As many as 65% of Russians praised Vladimir Putin’s performance as president in January, which is as many as was in December 2013, the Levada Center sociological service told Interfax on Thursday in summing up outcomes of a nationwide poll of 1,603 Russians it conducted in 130 communities in 45 regions of Russia on January […]

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Billionaire Quits Business to Better Fight Kremlin

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Arm and Torso of Person in Brown Sweater Placing Paper Ballot into Ballot Box

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Anatoly Medetsky – January 29, 2014) The only billionaire in the country at the head of a political party, Gleb Fetisov, has sold out of all his assets, showing his resolve to jostle for a greater role in current affairs. Worth an estimated $1.9 billion, Fetisov let the word out about the move at a […]

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What public opinion polls tell us about Russians

Life in Russia, Culture, Arts, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Map of Russia

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Anastasiya Maltseva, special to RBTH – January 29, 2014) Recent polls show that Russians value family first and look cautiously at the West. But well over half of the population will follow the Sochi Olympics. For Russians, family is what matters most. Most Russians hope for the better as they look into the […]

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Minister Plans Accelerated Privatization

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo Rosneft and Russian Flags Next to Rosneft Banner

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – January 29, 2014) Improvements in the stock market mean that the privatization of several large state corporations can be accelerated, and the sale of 19 percent of the country’s largest oil firm Rosneft can be fast-tracked to this year, Economic Development Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev said. Stakes in Rosneft, Aeroflot, shipyard Sovcomflot, Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port, […]

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TRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Russia-EU Summit

Europe, EU, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
EU Map

(Kremlin.ru – January 28, 2014) Vladimir Putin took part in the Russia-EU summit meeting. The Russian President had a private meeting with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. The meeting was at the EU’s initiative. The meeting continued in a working lunch format with participation by the delegations’ members. Following the summit, the […]

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Interfax: Russian Federation Council concerned about events in Ukraine – statement

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Federation Council file photo

(Interfax – January 29, 2014) The Russian Federation Council believes that the ongoing events in Ukraine are aimed at discrediting and overthrowing the legitimate authorities, says a statement on the situation in Ukraine the Federation Council members unanimously passed on Wednesday. “The Federation Council is concerned about the situation in Ukraine and believes that the mass unrest provoked by the […]

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Excerpts from transcript of [Putin] meeting with National Research Nuclear University (MEPhI) students

Education, Academia, Military, Nuclear, Missile Defense, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Science, Technology, Engineering
Russian Nuclear Submarine file photo

(Kremlin.ru – January 22, 2014) PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN: Good afternoon, everyone, The main reason for this meeting is to congratulate you on the upcoming holiday. As one would write in official documents, I want to congratulate you and in your person all of Russia’s students. I wish you the very best in your studies and your future careers. […]

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Russians not ready to sacrifice their rights for sake of state interests – poll

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Human Rights, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and St. Basil's

(Interfax – January 28, 2014) Most Russians place the rights of a person above the interests of the state, however they continue to count on the state taking care of its citizens, the Levada Center said about the poll held in December 2013 in 130 cities, towns and villages in 45 Russian regions and involving 1,603 respondents. When asked which […]

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Ukraine Unrest Spreading to Russia? Unlikely

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
European Portion of Commonwealth of Independent States

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber – January 28, 2014) With violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement in Ukraine showing few signs of diminishing, pro-Kremlin commentators and lawmakers in Russia have issued dramatic warnings about the possibility of unrest spreading across the border. Prominent journalist and television personality Vladimir Solovyov said the clashes in Kiev could inspire terrorists […]

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Medvedev Proposes Officials Return to State Company Boards

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Empty Boardroom

GORKY, January 27 (RIA Novosti) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that government officials should be appointed to the boards of state-owned companies, in an apparent reversal of a signature reform he carried out during his presidency. “Civil servants should be [on the boards of directors of state-owned companies] in a sensible quantity and in sensible positions,” Medvedev […]

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Putin Pays Respects to Brother, Victims of Leningrad Siege

History, Soviet Union, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
St. Petersburg Landmark

MOSCOW, January 27 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin honored the victims of the Siege of Leningrad, including his brother, at a ceremony in St. Petersburg on Monday. Putin walked with several dozen siege survivors in a procession through the Piskaryovskoye cemetery as part of a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad, […]

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TRANSCRIPT: [Putin] Meeting on healthcare development

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Vladimir Putin at Valdai Club 2013 Meeting, Adapted from Screenshot of Valdai Club Video at youtube.com

(Kremlin.ru – January 21, 2014) Vladimir Putin held a meeting to discuss healthcare development and the implementation of the Presidential Executive Orders signed in May 2012. Special attention was given to the need to reduce inefficient spending in healthcare and improve the efficiency of medical institutions, as well as issues pertaining to wages in the healthcare sector. PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA […]

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The Kremlin’s Disturbing Reading List for Russia’s Political Elite

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Vladimir Putin file photo

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, January 24, 2014) The Kremlin sent as New Year’s presents to the leaders of the ruling United Russia parties copies of Nicholas Berdyaev’s “Philosophy of Inequality,” Vladimir  Solovyev’s “Justification of Good,” and Ivan Ilin’s “Our Tasks,” three books which celebrate authoritarianism and the last of which suggests fascism is the only bulwark […]

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TRANSCRIPT (excerpts): [Putin] Meeting with representatives of Russian human rights community

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Vladimir Putin at Valdai Club 2013 Meeting, Adapted from Screenshot of Valdai Club Video at youtube.com

(Kremlin.ru – January 23, 2014) In the course of the meeting, Vladimir Putin approved the proposal of human rights activists to nominate Ella Pamphilova candidate for the position of Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner. The meeting participants also discussed the development of the institution of human rights ombudsman and increasing the effectiveness of the system of regional human rights ombudsmen. Excerpts […]

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RIA Novosti: Russia Has Too Many Banks – Putin

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
VTB Bank Facade file photo

MOSCOW, January 22 (RIA Novosti) ­ President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that there are too many banks in Russia, Prime business news agency reported. “We have just under a thousand banks. That is, of course, a large quantity of financial institutions for our economy,” Putin said during a meeting with a group of Moscow students. Dozens of Russian banks have […]

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Interfax: Russian ministry explains suspension of Navalny party registration

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Alexei Navalny file photo

(Interfax – Moscow, January 22, 2014) The state registration of People’s Alliance, political party of [anticorruption campaigner and protest leader] Aleksey Navalnyy’s supporters has been suspended over the similarity of names with the [pundit] Andrey Bogdanov’s political organization, procedural violations during [the party’s constituent] congress as well as poor paperwork, the press service for the Russian Justice Ministry has said. […]

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Russian Parliament Passes Anti-Extremism Bill

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Race, Ethnic, Extremism, Xenophobia
Russian State Duma Building file photo

MOSCOW, January 22 (RIA Novosti) ­ The Russian State Duma passed a bill imposing tougher penalties for extremism-related crimes Wednesday. The legislation, which the lower chamber of parliament passed in second and third readings, increases the prison sentence for public incitement of extremism from three to four years, and also raises fines for the offence. The penalty for inciting hatred […]

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RIA Novosti: Putin Picks Kremlin Critic as Russia’s Ombudsman

Human Rights, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Saint Basil's

MOSCOW, January 23 (RIA Novosti) ­ President Vladimir Putin has nominated an outspoken Kremlin critic as Russia’s next ombudsman. Putin told rights activists Tuesday that he would formally nominate Ella Pamfilova, former head of the Kremlin human rights council, to the post after a meeting with her. No date was set. Pamfilova, 60, has not commented on the prospective appointment […]

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RIA Novosti: Putin Never Intentionally Poses Topless – Spokesman

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Vladimir Putin Sitting at Desk

MOSCOW, January 23 (RIA Novosti) ­ Photos of Russian President Vladimir Putin striding manfully through the countryside with his shirt off have over the years drawn much admiration and ridicule, as well as suspicion they were posed public relations stunts aimed at showing the leader in macho mode. But a Kremlin spokesman tried to scotch such speculation in an interview […]

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TRANSCRIPT: Dmitry Medvedev’s interview with CNN

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Dmitry Medvedev with United Russia Logos Behind Him

(Government.ru – January 22, 2014) Dmitry Medvedev sat for an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Christiane Amanpour: Let me start by asking you about the Sochi Olympics. This is a moment of great pride for Russia, great anticipation for the world’s athletes. And yet you have a major security threat and major security alert that your government and security forces […]

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TRANSCRIPT: [Putin] Speech at a meeting with students at National Research Nuclear University (MEPhI)

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Vladimir Putin at Valdai Club 2013 Meeting, Adapted from Screenshot of Valdai Club Video at youtube.com

(Kremlin.ru – January 22, 2014) PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN: Good afternoon, everyone, The main reason for this meeting is to congratulate you on the upcoming holiday. As one would write in official documents, I want to congratulate you and in your person all of Russia’s students. I wish you the very best in your studies and your future careers. […]

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