Politics - Russia Beyond The Headlines

Deputy Prime Minister responds to criticism toward Russia's government

Elena Shipilova — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:03:00 +0400

Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Arkady Dvorkovich, speaks to Russia Beyond The Headlines about the problems of the Russian economy, access to the Russian shelf for foreign companies and the upcoming St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

Navalny case strains EU-Russia relations

Alina Sabitova — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:39:00 +0400

The oppositionist Navalny was charged with defrauding Kirovles, a state-owned timber company. According to investigators, he allegedly organized the theft of corporate property worth $510,000

Landing pad for Putin's Mi-8 helicopter appears in Kremlin

Igor Rozin — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:55:00 +0400

The president's press secretary announced that an helicopter landing pad has been built on the premises of the Moscow Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin will use it at the first opportunity

Liberal Democrats want to confiscate Russians’ dollars

Svetlana Subbotina — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:56:00 +0400

Parliamentarian Mikhail Degtyarev of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia has submitted a bill banning dollar savings and transactions on Russian territory

Berezovsky buried near London amidst will turmoil

Jim Ensom — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:18:00 +0400

The funeral of Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky was always going to be a private affair, held behind closed doors to the media

Lessons from Boston: How American bombings affect Russia

Ivan Sukhov — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:13:00 +0400

Two days after two blasts rocked the Boston marathon on April 15, the suspects were established as ethnic Chechens from a region in Russia's North Caucasus, implicating Russia in the bombings

Putin ally Surkov quits as Deputy Prime Minister

Yulia Ponomareva — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:07:00 +0400

President Vladimir Putin has accepted the resignation of his long-time ally and former chief ideologue Vladislav Surkov from his posts as Deputy Prime Minister and government chief of staff

Russian opposition tries to hold on despite challenges

Stanislav Kuvaldin — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:38:00 +0400

The Russian opposition held a rally on May 6 to mark the anniversary of last year’s mass protests at Bolotnaya Square. The protests in 2012 involved violent clashes with police and resulted in the arrest of 400 protestors, a few of whom remain in cus

Surkov: Russia’s political system has adapted to a new environment

Maksim Ivanov — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:02:00 +0400

According to Surkov the system has not collapsed, but has “defeated the opposition,” demonstrating a “long overdue harshness” toward extremists

Thousands rally in Moscow in support of Bolotnaya prisoners

Yulia Ponomareva — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:48:00 +0400

Moscow saw this year’s biggest protest rally on Monday evening as about 20,000 people turned up to Bolotnaya Square across the river from the Kremlin, calling for the prosecution of 27 anti-government protesters to be dropped

New Russian law bans foreign bank accounts for officials

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:52:00 +0400

The bill was passed in the third and final reading by Russia’s State Duma and will be enacted as soon as it is signed by President Vladimir Putin

Will NGOs and Kremlin find a compromise amid inspections?

Pavel Koshkin — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:52:00 +0400

While the Russian authorities sum up the results of their large-scale inspections of NGOs, pundits make their guesses as to whether it is possible to reach a compromise on this issue

Putin’s televised marathon: One-man show or new approach for dialogue?

Pavel Koshkin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:16:00 +0400

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s televised session fueled speculations among political pundits about the President’s controversial image and his approach seemingly aimed at establishing a dialogue with ordinary people

Putin tackles terror, critics - and debates Kudrin

Yulia Ponomareva — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:17:00 +0400

By the end of his annual televised Q&A show with ordinary Russians President Vladimir Putin received more than 3 million questions

Russian pundits: United Russia's future in limbo

Dan Peleschuk — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:07:00 +0400

As United Russia’s reputation continues to suffer and Vladimir Putin voices increasing support for his People’s Front, what’s in store for the ruling party?

Putin's third term: Bolstering a faltering grip

Yulia Ponomareva — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:32:00 +0400

The first year of President Putin's third term saw his confidence rating fall from 60 percent to 52 percent

'Operative in the Kremlin': De-mystifying Putin

Alexander Gasyuk — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:12:00 +0400

“Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin,” a new book by the Brookings Institution pundits, analyzes Russian President Vladimir Putin's personality instead of surrounding stereotypes

Russian legislators unhappy with Apple’s dominance

Yulia Tsoi — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:49:00 +0400

State Duma deputies are outraged with the executive office of the lower chamber for virtually forcing them to use Apple tablets and phones for work

Suspect in Klebnikov murder found in United Arab Emirates

Yuri Vershov — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:25:00 +0400

Chechen murder suspect in the murder of the editor of Forbes Russia Paul Klebnikov found behind bars in United Arab Emirates

Opposition leader Navalny pays for politicizing

Alexander Panov — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:56:00 +0400

With Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny facing criminal charges and expecting the court trial on April 24, some politicians warn against making political activity an excuse for criminal prosecution or a means of protection from criminal sanctio

Russia seeks arrest in absentia for Magnitsky boss Browder

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:28:00 +0400

Russian law enforcement agencies asked the court to issue an arrest warrant in absentia for Hermitage Capital co-founder and CEO William Browder at a court hearing on Wednesday

FEMEN protests: From President Putin to Patriarch Kirill

Alexandra Guzeva — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 15:50:00 +0400

RBTH recollects the most noticeable tricks pulled by the Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN, whose members came to prominence after their attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Hannover, Germany in April

Boris Berezovsky: Fade to Black

Zakhar Prilepin — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:45:00 +0400

Russian writer Zakhar Prilepin remembers the larger-than-life businessman whose death left more questions than answers

What does Navalny get from running for presidency?

Yulia Ponomareva — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:42:00 +0400

After opposition leader Alexei Navalny announced his plans to run for Russia's presidency, political pundits resumed debates about the future of Russia's liberal movement

Vladimir Putin sends signal to corrupt officials

Olga Doronina — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:28:00 +0400

New amendments oblige officials to submit a special form to account for their dubious purchases

NATO, Russia consider joint missile-defense system

Inna Soboleva — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:55:00 +0400

NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow hopes to start building a joint ABM system to protect both NATO and Russia

Opposition leader Navalny to run for president

Igor Rozin — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:42:00 +0400

High-profile opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny announces his intention to run for the Russian presidency. Yet some politicians question his intentions

Russians disapprove of bureaucrats’ wealth

Olga Doronina — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:11:00 +0400

Opinion polls show that a majority of Russians are increasingly intolerant of the wealth of government officials – riches which they see as connected to the embezzlement of public funds

Is Russia’s increased military spending a threat?

Viktor Litovkin — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:49:00 +0400

A recently released report by International Institute for Strategic Studies has noted that Russia’s defense spending increased in 2012, while military expenditures fell in the U.S. and Europe

NATO and CSTO approach security differently

Yelena Chernenko — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:48:00 +0400

The Collective Security Treaty Organization Secretary General told about relations with NATO and how it counters internal and external threats

More Russian politicians blog at their own risk

Dmitry Romendik — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:47:00 +0400

Having a blog is the new fashion among Russian politicians, who are creating increasing numbers of accounts on social networks. Yet this cutting-edge form of reaching out to their voters sometimes results in high-profile scandals

Russian authorities search for Berezovsky’s assets

Alexei Bausin — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:02:00 +0400

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office seeks compensation of damages from the deceased tycoon’s criminal cases

Berezovsky's death leaves troubled legacy

Yulia Ponomareva — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:15:00 +0400

The death of exiled tycoon Boris Berezovsky, who remained a major irritant between London and Moscow, may finally give both countries a chance to turn the page

Authorities search NGOs for 'foreign agents'

Stanislav Kuvaldin — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:21:00 +0400

Law enforcement organs are conducting mass checks of Russian NGOs. According to information from human rights activists, more than 40 organizations in 16 regions of Russia have already been inspected

What lies beneath Berezovsky's death?

Igor Rozin — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:45:00 +0400

Russian notorious oligarch Boris Berezovsky's relatives expressed confidence that his death was natural while some politicians related the businessman's death with his political defeat and financial failures

Putin's spokesperson: Berezovsky wanted to return to Russia before death

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 23:12:00 +0400

Kremlin's spokesman claims that Boris Berezovsky, who died in Britain on Saturday, wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin before death, apologized for "very many mistakes" and asked the president to help him return to Russia

Boris Berezovsky dies in London at 67

Russia Today — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:32:00 +0400

According to early reports exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky was found dead in his home in Surrey, England

Opposition politician Gudkov asked to quit State Duma

Sofya Samokhina — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:37:00 +0400

The ethics committee of the Russia parliament votes to oust opposition member after his participation in the the Freedom House forum in the United States

Political satire returns to Russian TV

Dmitry Romendik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:49:00 +0400

In recent years, all Russian political satires have gradually shifted to the Internet, though experts say Russian TV audiences want to see more

Criminal case against opposition activist Navalny forwarded to court

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:00:00 +0400

Despite growing concern after criminal charges against the prominent opposition activist were sent to court, Alexei Navalny says he is going to continue his anti-corruption activity

Russian parliament slams opposition politician for betraying national interests

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:44:00 +0400

Dmitry Gudkov, a member of the Just Russia opposition party, fell prey to severe criticism by the State Duma for participating in a controversial forum in the U.S.

Russia’s regions go back to the streets to protest

Olga Doronina — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:50:00 +0400

While Moscow's street politicians take a breather, experts observe a rise of social activity in the Russian regions. In contrast to the capital, the demands of the Russian hinterland are social rather than political

Litvinenko death probe suspended in Russia

Igor Rozin — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:23:00 +0400

The Russian Investigative Committee has suspended its inquiry into the death of ex-security service officer Alexander Litvinenko in London. Russia blames its decision on the British investigators accused of being reluctant to collaborate

Pro-Kremlin youth movement Nashi to be revamped

Alexei Bausin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:42:00 +0400

Russia’s notorious pro-government youth movement Nashi is set for a complete overhaul. It is reported to be replaced by a new youth organization with a new name and different objectives

Ministry of Justice: NGO law fears not justified

RBC Daily — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:29:00 +0400

Despite a notorious law regarding foreign-funded NGOs and a number of received appeals to declare some well-known organizations as “foreign agents,” Russia's Justice Ministry explains why no organization has yet to officially fall into this category

New election bill to restrict foreign influence

Igor Rozin — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:15:00 +0400

A new bill will complicate the work of international observers during the Russian parliamentary campaign, prohibit Russian parties from forming election blocs and reduce the threshold for parties running in the elections from 7 to 5 percent