by Giorgi KvelashviliDespite international criticism, the Kremlin continues its policy of creeping annexation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. On October 2nd, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited the Georgian city of Sokhumi on the Black Sea coast to hold talks with “Abkhaz... MORE

by Roman KupchinskyHow realistic is Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s vision of turning the frozen, gas filled Yamal Peninsula into a northern Qatar – brimming with multi-billion dollar plants which turn gas into Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and terminals to load LNG tankers for export... MORE

by Yuri ZarakhovichWhat happens, when a person offers controversial views? In a civilized country, this leads to a debate, perhaps a heated one—but a debate nonetheless. In an uncivilized country, this leads to threats and intimidation by hoodlums, enticed and directed by the authorities. Such... MORE

by Tammy Lynch Given Ukraine’s political situation, perhaps it should not be surprising that the privatization of a major state asset failed yesterday. Or rather – that the privatization technically succeeded but was quickly cancelled. In a televised public auction ultimately termed a “farce” by... MORE

by Roman KupchinskySpeaking at the forum "Russia Calls" organized by Russia’s VTB Bank on September 29, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told the audience that Gazprom, the state-owned gas monopoly, will continue to be the sole exporter of Russian gas for years to come.According to western... MORE

by Giorgi KvelashviliOn September 23 the pro- Kremlin news agency Regnum published an interview with Gairbek Salbiev, who allegedly leads an organization called Darial Public Movement. According to Regnum, the prime objective of the newly created organization is “uniting 33 Ossetian villages of the Truso,... MORE

by Roman KupchinskyEurope’s three largest purchasers of Russian gas – German E.ON, Italian ENI and Turkish Botas – have all challenged Gazprom over paying for deliveries of gas that they contracted for but did not take due to reduced demand in 2009. These three, along... MORE

by Yuri Zakharovich Earlier this month, the New Times, a Moscow-based weekly magazine, ran highlights of “Without Putin”, a new book by Mikhail Kasyanov.Once Boris Yeltsin’s confidant and Vladimir Putin’s Prime Minister, Kasyanov was abruptly fired in February 2004 for disagreeing with Putin on the... MORE

by Tammy Lynch I stood on the Maidan in Kyiv for the 17 days that became known as the Orange Revolution. I am an American, but I listened to the speeches, talked to the “campers,” joined the chanting and waved my orange flags and creased,... MORE

by Roman KupchinskyRussia Seeks Partners to Develop the Yamal Gas Fields.Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will meet with representatives of the world’s largest energy companies on Thursday to discuss their participation in the development of the huge gas fields located in the Yamal Peninsula. Among... MORE