“We won’t participate in any legalization of Putin’s next term, as we understand it will be an imitation of an election,” Mikhail Kasyanov said. “I have no doubt that Putin has already decided to take back the presidency.”
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.
Medvedev Urges New Generation to Help Remake Russia
“In place of an archaic society where the leader thinks and decides for all, we will become a society of smart, free and responsible people,” Dmitry Medvedev said in his annual state-of-the-nation speech.
Putin’s China Visit Helps Russia Become Global Energy Supplier
Russia agreed to supply China with oil for 20 years in return for a $25 billion credit. The total value of oil deals signed with Chinese companies this year is about $100 billion.
Putin’s Shadow Looms Over Mayoral Race in Olympic City of Sochi
Vladislav Funtyakov, a member of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, is losing the faith. When the Sochi city councilman tried to enter the mayoral race in his hometown, site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, his application was rejected.
The Cracks in Kremlin Inc.
“Gazprom is not a state company; it’s the president’s personal company,” says Vladimir Milov. “It’s a bunch of people from St. Petersburg enjoying the windfall.”
Kaliningrad: Model of Cooperation with EU?
“Kaliningrad could be the best location in Russia — paradise, ” says Viktor Hoffmann. “But we must be open to Europe like Poland or Lithuania.”
