Lucian Kim
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Russia

Russia won’t let me go. I became fascinated by Russia as a boy when my parents gave me a 700-page book of Russian fairy-tales one Christmas. The fact the Soviet Union was closed, far away and America’s mortal enemy added to the country’s mystique. I devoured every book on Russia I could get my hands on. When I went to college, I started studying Russian.
What continues to intrigue me is that no matter how close I get to Russia and Russians, I always end up feeling like a foreigner. Despite all the western influence, Russia preserves its distinctiveness, belonging to neither Europe nor Asia. For me, it remains the most rewarding place to work as a journalist.

After Arrest, Kremlin Critic Navalny Calls On Supporters To ‘Take To The Streets’

Published January 18, 2021 in NPR Leave a comment

“Don’t be afraid. Take to the streets,” Navalny said. “Don’t do it for me, do it for yourselves and your future.”

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Putin And Biden Signal Chilly Relations To Come

Published December 21, 2020 in NPR Leave a comment

“Putin doesn’t count on personal relations with American leaders. Today he only counts on the intersection of interests.

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Arms Control: When Biden Takes Office, Clock Will Be Ticking To Save New START Treaty

Published December 9, 2020 in NPR Leave a comment

“The danger is that to get to the point of a new détente, we may have to go through a period when it will be pretty scary, and we are not there yet.”

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Protesters In Russia’s Far East Challenge Putin’s Authority, Demand His Resignation

Published July 24, 2020 in NPR Leave a comment

“People go out every day without any kind of organization. I’m really happy that people from my region have finally taken responsibility for their lives.”

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Russians Are Voting On 206 Reforms. The Most Important One Will Extend Putin’s Rule

Published June 30, 2020 in NPR Leave a comment

“It is very important to Putin to have this popular endorsement, even if it is a farce, even if it is a travesty of popular will.”

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Putin’s Rule Turns 20: Many Russians Find Stability; A New Generation Sees Stagnation

Published January 6, 2020 in NPR Leave a comment

“We remember our roots from Soviet times. Patriotism is in our blood. We always aimed to be number one in the world, and Putin understands that.”

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The View From Moscow On The Trump Impeachment Inquiry

Published November 27, 2019 in NPR Leave a comment

“Thank God nobody is accusing us anymore of interfering in U.S. elections,” Putin said. “They’re accusing Ukraine. Let them sort this out among themselves.”

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‘The Government Is Very Afraid’: Meet Moscow’s New Opposition Leader, Lyubov Sobol

Published August 21, 2019 in NPR Leave a comment

“People admire her for her strength of character and the fact she’s a woman in a very male-centered culture,” said Sergey Radchenko.

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‘The Rot Starts From The Top’: Russians Protest Over Problems Big And Small

Published July 25, 2019 in NPR Leave a comment

“If they haven’t been able to solve problems like garbage removal or utilities in 20 years, then what problems can they solve?” said Mikhail Kazinets.

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Suspected U.S. Spy ‘Is Holding Up Surprisingly Well’ In Russian Jail, Lawyer Says

Published February 12, 2019 in NPR Leave a comment

The case of Paul Whelan, an ex-Marine who served in Iraq, is the latest twist in Russia’s faltering relations with the West.

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Women Lead The Way Against Belarus’ Patriarch, Says Svetlana Tikhanovskaya

“Our women understood they don’t have to stay in their kitchens and can go and fight for their rights beside  — and even in front of their men,” said Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

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About Lucian

Based in Berlin and Moscow, I’ve reported from the former Soviet empire since 1996. I started working as National Public Radio’s Moscow correspondent in December 2016. Before that I contributed to Reuters, Slate, Bloomberg and The Moscow Times, among others.

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