Economics
A clear-eyed assessment of the Russian economy under the weight of war and sanctions: the pressures building beneath the surface, the cost borne by ordinary people, and the ways the system adapts—and what it all means for Russia's future and for markets far beyond its borders
does the drop in oil prices threaten Putin’s regime?
The ongoing decline in global oil prices is very bad news for Putin’s regime which depends on oil and gas revenues for about 40% of its federal budget.
Russia vs Oil
In early March 2020, OPEC has failed to reach a deal with Russia who refused to reduce its oil production in response to the plummeting demand due to…
Keynote Speech by Richard Hoogland “A Brief History of the Dutch Business in Russia”
Today we will talk about different aspects of Nord Stream-2. About political aspects of the deal, like bypassing transit countries like Ukraine and Belarus and the fact that…
The Kremlin’s games surrounding sea lines of communications have becoming increasingly more dangerous
It’s been seven long months since a group of Ukrainian sailors was illegally captured by the Russian government. The international campaign demanding their immediate release is growing, spreading…
Monaco’s Minister of Justice implicated by Kremlin’s oligarch
The case of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev is a story of impunity both in Russia and in the West. This oligarch, who was connected with the Kremlin and…
The Case of Baring Vostok: foreign investment is not safe in Putin’s Russia
The February 15, 2019 arrests of Baring Vostok Capital top managers on fraud charges sent shock waves through the ever-shrinking community of those still investing in Russia. The…
A piggy bank of $6 trillion for Putin’s cronies to “salt the stash away”
Tomorrow, on October 24th, the State Duma will be considering a proposed draft of the federal budget for the years of 2019-2021 in its first reading. One cannot…
Constitution and Economy after Putin. A Roadmap for a new Russia
Vladimir Putin’s regime has arguably surpassed the Soviet Union in its artful employment of propaganda. One of the most widespread myths that the regime energetically pedals is that there is “no life”—or any viable political options—after Putin.
Russian pension reform: a “black swan” for Vladimir Putin?
Russian pension reform aimed at sharply raising the retirement age has all the chances to become a long-anticipated political “black swan” for Vladimir Putin's government—a mistake…
Canadian Business in Crimea: Turning a Blind Eye to Sanctions and Human Rights
On May 14, 2018, Oleg Sentsov went on an indefinite hunger strike, demanding the release of 64 Ukrainian political prisoners held by Russia in pre-trial detention centers and…