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On 4 March, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg opened the case brought by former shareholders of the now-defunct company Yukos against the Russian state. The shareholders are seeking recognition that the Russian authorities brought Yukos to bankruptcy illegally and for political reasons, and are claiming US$98 billion in damages. The ECHR ruling will mainly be of symbolic significance (based on the Court's verdicts to date, no compensation is expected to be ordered). However, the case is adversely affecting Russia's international image. more »
Opposition parties and movements in two important regions of Russia, the Kaliningrad oblast and the Primorsky krai, established regional coalitions in early March in order to demand resignation of Vladimir Putin's government, among other moves. This marks another instance of the opposition stepping up its activities in recent months. The regional elections on 14 March and the all-Russian protests scheduled on 20 March may provide some indication about the authorities' attitude towards the opposition. more »
President Dmitry Medvedev, accompanied by a delegation consisting of eighty representatives from Russian business circles, visited Paris between 1 and 3 March. A number of economic and energy agreements was signed, setting out more detailed provisions for the co-operation projects initiated during Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s visit in November 2009. At the same time, France’s political support for Russian appeals and interests in the area of European security has proven that the adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon will not change the previous model of bilateral co-operation between Russia and selected European countries. more »
It can be concluded from statements made by President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that the essence of the new tactics will be to develop the Caucasus economically, and to give top priority to such regional socio-economic problems as poverty, unemployment and corruption. more »
The concessions granted by Gazprom have to a large extent been forced by reduced price competitiveness of Russian gas and the resulting substantial fall in exports. By deciding to modify its contracts, Gazprom is trying to maintain its share of the European gas market and ensure its sale volumes. more »
