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U.S.-Russian Relations - Excerpts 2012 - JRL Home
:: 2009-11 :: 2008 :: 2005-07
NEWSLINK: Russian defense minister’s sacking suggests political infighting; Anatoly Serdyukov is mired in a corruption scandal, but some experts say that he was driven out by conservatives unhappy with his military reforms ~ The Christian Science Monitor covers Russian President Vladimir Putin’s dismissal of Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov ... JRL Newslink Blog, covering Christian Science Monitor article 11.8.12; JRL 2012-197

The war between the president’s men ~ The Russian regime may present a united front to the world, but behind the scenes the cracks are beginning to show. In the week when Putin fired a senior government member, Dmitri Travin looks at the people and the issues that divide them ... Dmitri Travin/ opendemocracy.net 11.6.12; JRL 2012-196 Putin Fires Defense Minister Amid Scandal [replaces Serdyukov with Shoigu] ~ Putin fired Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov in connection with a corruption scandal and appointed Moscow Governor Sergei Shoigu in his place ... Natalya Krainova and Roland Oliphant, Moscow Times 11.7.12; JRL 2012-196
Putin Faces Anti-Migrant Tide as Opponents Tap Resentment ~ Putin’s opponents are looking to take advantage of a dip in his approval rating by latching on to rising anti-immigration sentiment ... Ilya Arkhipov and Henry Meyer, Bloomberg 11.6.12; JRL 2012-196
Kudrin Does Not See Way Back to Govt For Now ~ Former Russian finance minister and current head of the Civil Initiatives Committee, Alexei Kudrin, is not upset with Dmitry Medvedev, who sacked him when he was president, and does not regret quitting the government ... Interfax 11.7.12; JRL 2012-196
Russian Pundits Say New Governor Of Moscow Region Has Big Shoes To Fill ~ Political analysts and politicians believe that the Russian Defence Ministry will get a strong leader, however Moscow Region will “lose out” with Shoygu’s departure, as he has serious political clout and proved able to effectively defend the interests of the region at the federal level ... RIA Novosti 11.6.12; JRL 2012-196
The first big name falls in Russia’s anti-graft drive ~ Putin sacked Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who is accused of stealing $95m, the first time the Kremlin’s revitalized anti-corruption drive has reached into the inner circle ... Business New Europe 11.7.12; JRL 2012-196
Shoigu Seen as Ideal Fit to Head Defense Ministry ~ Sergei Shoigu replaces Anatoly Serdyukov as defense minister, with a combination of public popularity and loyalty to the Kremlin ... Alexander Bratersky, Moscow Times 11.7.12; JRL 2012-196
Over half of Russians approve of Serdyukov’s dismissal as defense minister – poll ~ More than half of Russians – 58% – appreciated the decision to dismiss Anatoly Serdyukov as defense minister, and nearly half – 49% – approved of Sergei Shoigu’s appointment ... Interfax 11.6.12; JRL 2012-196
Experts welcome Putin’s appointment of new defence minister ~ Russian political experts have disagreed whether President Putin’s decision to sack Defence Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov and appoint Sergey Shoygu, governor of Moscow Region and former emergencies minister, in his place will lead to changes in military reform and major reshuffles in the top brass ... Interfax 11.6.12; JRL 2012-196
NEWSLINK: The Putin Crackdown: First he went after the punk rockers. Then the activists. ~ "Congress should get over its gridlock and pass the Magnitsky Act that bars Russian human-rights offenders from traveling to or banking in the U.S. Better still: Boot this non-democrat out of the G-8 group of democracies ..." Wall Street Journal editorial 11.2.12; JRL 2012-193
About quarter of Russians sure political repressions to hit country again – poll ~ Nearly a quarter of Russians has no doubt about the emergence of a new wave of political repressions in the country, according to Interfax ... Interfax 10.30.12; JRL 2012-192
Defense Spending and Policy Discussions Are Splitting the Russian Elite ~ The public standing of one of Putin’s most powerful cohorts — Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov — was seriously undermined when Russia’s Investigation Committee publicly accused the defense ministry­controlled holding company “Oboronservis” of corruption and of defrauding the federal budget ... Pavel Felgenhauer, Eurasia Daily Monitor 11.2.12; JRL 2012-193
No Time Change This Fall ~ When Europe turns its clocks one hour back this Sunday, two countries are going to have it their own way: Russia and Belarus will move out of step with much of the northern hemisphere by sticking with “eternal summer time,” introduced last year by then-President Dmitry Medvedev ... Moscow Times 10.26.12; JRL 2012-189
Russia Hopes to Improve Doing Business Ranking Through Tax Administration – Minister ~ Russia hopes improve its ranking on the Doing Business index by improving tax administration, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said ... Interfax 10.17.12; JRL 2012-183
Russian Protest Leader Udaltsov Charged ~ Russian protest leader Sergei Udaltsov was charged with plotting mass disorder on Friday and could face up to 10 years behind bars if found guilty ... RIA Novosti 10.26.12; JRL 2012-189
Udaltsov Calls for Pickets Over Aide’s Detention ~ Left Front leader Sergei Udaltsov, who investigators suspect of plotting mass riots on Russian soil, called on supporters to picket law enforcement agencies on Thursday in support of his assistant charged in the same case ... Moscow Times 10.18.12; JRL 2012-183The return of Sechin: An apparent compromise in a government rivalry places Putin’s key ally back in the picture ~ President Vladimir Putin has reportedly okayed a plan by the state-owned Rosneft oil company to buy BP’s 50 percent stake in TNKBP ­ and this may be part of a larger compromise with Putin’s key ally, Igor Sechin, who controls Rosneft. That compromise, analysts said, could affect everything from ... Moscow Times 10.16.12; JRL 2012-182
USAID Gone, Kremlin Tightens Control Over Non-Profits ~ Despite USAID’s eviction and a new law compelling nonprofits that receive foreign funds to register as “foreign agents,” Putin insisted that Russia’s policy regarding nonprofits was unrestrictive, while also proposing that nonprofits providing social services come under closer government scrutiny ... Jonathan Earle, Moscow Times 10.2.12; JRL 2012-172
Russia is running out of cash ~ As the Russian government tries to put together its budget plan for 2013-2015, it is clear that it cannot possibly meet all its pre-election promises. Dmitry Travin looks at the financial crisis facing the country ... Dmitry Travin/opendemocracy.net 9.28.12; JRL 2012-171
Duma Kicks Out Kremlin Critic ~ A United Russia-backed vote removed one of parliament’s most vocal critics of the Kremlin by ousting Gudkov, who denied wrongdoing and maintained that he is under attack for backing the opposition protest movement ... Alexander Bratersky, Moscow Times 9.17.12; JRL 2012-165NEWSLINK: Kremlin oil control drive could backfire ~ Some officials, businessmen and economists have little doubt that Igor Sechin will soon succeed in folding new assets into the state-controlled behemoth Rosneft that he runs; but the ultimate price may be too high for the Russian economy and taxpayers ... covering 9.27.12 Reuters article; from JRL 2012-171
Treason Bill Gains Momentum ~ the Duma approved to broaden the legal definition of high treason, seen by human rights groups as part of a continuing crackdown on foreign-funded organizations in Russia ... Yekaterina Kravtsova, Moscow Times 9.24.12; JRL 2012-168
Battle between liberals, Siloviki heats up over Rosneftegaz cash ~ Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has ordered his cabinet to draw up urgent plans to seize 95% of Rosneftegaz accounts, emasculating Rosneftegaz CEO and Kremlin insider Igor Sechin’s plans to le verage those funds to consolidate government stakes in the energy sector and turn the holding into a super-energy giant uniting Gazprom and Rosneft ... Business New Europe 9.21.12; JRL 2012-167
Nemtsov: Left-wing, Liberal, Nationalist Opposition Wings in Agreement on Political Demands ~ Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, said that liberal, left-wing and nationalist wings of the opposition reached agreement on political demands such as the ouster of President Vladimir Putin and new presidential and parliamentary elections ... Interfax 9.15.12; ; JRL 2012-165
Duma Kicks Out Kremlin Critic ~ A United Russia-backed vote removed one of parliament’s most vocal critics of the Kremlin by ousting Gudkov, who denied wrongdoing and maintained that he is under attack for backing the opposition protest movement ... Alexander Bratersky, Moscow Times 9.17.12; JRL 2012-165
Russian pundits differ on future relations with USA ~ Russian political analysts differ on the future of Russian-American relations after the re-election of Barack Obama ... Interfax 11.7.1; JRL 2012-197
‘Flexibility’ With Russia Might Not Come Easy for Obama in 2nd Term ~ the next four years will show whether the American president can make good on this assertion that we would have more "flexibility" to deal with Russia on missile defense ... Carl Schreck, RIA Novosti 11.8.1; JRL 2012-197
Russia Expects Missile Shield 'Flexibility' from Reelected Obama ~ Russia hopes that US President Barack Obama will demonstrate a greater willingness to compromise on NATO plans for a missile shield in Europe during his second term ... Marc Bennetts, RIA Novosti 11.8.1; JRL 2012-197
Obama And The Russians: Moving On To The ‘Post-Reset’ ~ A second term does not necessarily mean a repeat of the first ... Robert Coalson, RFE/RL 11.7.12; JRL 2012-196
Battle for the White House: Final arrangements ~ The presidential campaign in the United States has entered the home stretch ... Nikolai Zlobin, Valdai Club 11.2.12; JRL 2012-193
Why the Foreign Ministry Should Keep Quiet ~ Those nostalgic about the Soviet Union got a nice treat on Oct. 22 when the Foreign Ministry released its report on U.S. human rights violations ... Moscow Times 11.2.12; JRL 2012-193
U.S.-Russian Adoption Accord Enters Force ~ Russian children adopted by U.S. families will remain Russian citizens so that they can “return to the motherland in case of a conflict situation,” the office of the children’s ombudsman said ... Moscow Times 11.2.12; JRL 2012-193
NEWSLINK: GM Russian Car Venture Is Pleasant Surprise ~ The Wall Street Journal reports on General Motors efforts to build cars in Russia, specifically 4-wheel-drive Chevrolet Niva SUV’s for the Russian market ... JRL Newslink Blog, covering Wall Street Journal article 11.1.12; JRL 2012-192
USAID Gone, Kremlin Tightens Control Over Non-Profits ~ Despite USAID’s eviction and a new law compelling nonprofits that receive foreign funds to register as “foreign agents,” Putin insisted that Russia’s policy regarding nonprofits was unrestrictive, while also proposing that nonprofits providing social services come under closer government scrutiny ... Jonathan Earle, Moscow Times 10.2.12; JRL 2012-172
Putin Sees Positive Aspect in Romney's Blunt Remarks About Russia ~ "That Mr. Romney considers us enemy number one and apparently has bad feelings about Russia is a minus, but, considering that he says this bluntly, openly and clearly, means that he is an open and sincere man, which is a plus," Putin said ... Interfax - 9.12.12 - JRL 2012-164
U.S. embassy in Russia reports reduction of visa fees ~ On Sept. 9, 2012, the United States is reducing the fees for issuing visas to Russians, from $100 to $20 for business or tourist visas (B1/B2), while still charging $160 for the application fee ... Interfax 8.31.12; JRL 2012-158
INTERVIEW: Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman: Moscow's position on Syria may have disastrous consequences for Russia ~ "... on Syria, we are at a very, very tough moment ..." Interfax 8.17.12; JRL 2012-148
U.S. Keeps Russia on 'National Threat' List ~ Obama has extended a legal act that lists Russia, among 16 other states, as a national threat, and allows for the freezing and confiscation of assets in the United States ... RIA Novosti - 8.17.12 - JRL 2012-148
INTERVIEW: Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman: Moscow's position on Syria may have disastrous consequences for Russia ~ "... on Syria, we are at a very, very tough moment ..." Interfax 8.17.12; JRL 2012-148
As U.S. Acts on Magnitsky, Europe Debates ~ From the former head of a Moscow tax office accused of a $230 million fraud to the chief prison doctor who refused to see a dangerously ill man for more than two months, about 60 Russian officials face U.S. sanctions under the Magnitsky Act, which recently won the backing of a U.S. House of Representatives committee; but Europe's response to the persistent scandal has been more muted, much to Russia's delight ... Jennifer Rankin, Moscow Times 8.3.12; JRL 2012-141

Congress Reviews Central Asia Security Issues (Part One): U.S. security role in Central Asia after Afghan War remains unclear ~ Last week, the US Congress held one of its most comprehensive hearings in years regarding US policy toward Central Asia ... Richard Weitz, Eurasia Daily Monitor; JRL 2012-140
Reflections on My First Six Months as U.S. Ambassador to Russia ~ "This week, I hit the six-month mark of my time as U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation — a good moment to reflect on our progress toward meeting the goals we established back in January for the U.S. Mission in Russia, and to plan for how to continue working toward achieving our foreign policy objectives in the next six months" ... Blog by Ambassador Mike McFaul, m-mcfaul.livejournal.com; 7.21.12; JRL 2012-137
Moscow to Continue 'Magnitsky Work' with U.S. ~ The Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act seeks to impose visa bans and asset freezes on Russian officials allegedly involved in the torture and death of anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, as well as in other gross human rights abuses in Russia ... RIA Novosti, 7.17.12; JRL 2012-129

:: The Putin Pendulum: Anti-White House — Pro American Investment
"It sounds like a sanitized and far milder outgrowth of Bolshevik think: 'The capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them.' ..." James Brooke, Voice of America 6.21.12; JRL 2012-112

:: Joint Statement by the President of the United States of America Barack Obama and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin
"The United States of America and the Russian Federation confirm our commitment to strengthening close and cooperative relations ..." White House 6.18.12; JRL 2012-110
:: U.S. ambassador says he did not mean Russia when talking about U.S. role in 'color revolutions'
"I was not talking about Russia, but the role of previous administrations in previous revolutions," McFaul wrote on Twitter ... Interfax; JRL 2012-108
6.14.12
:: U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul praised the Russia-U.S. reset at the New Economic School
Michael McFaul spoke at Moscow's New Economic School with a lecture entitled "The Reset: Theory, Results, Future" ... Kristen Blyth, Moscow News; JRL 2012-105 6.9.12
:: U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul praised the Russia-U.S. reset at the New Economic School
Michael McFaul spoke at Moscow's New Economic School with a lecture entitled "The Reset: Theory, Results, Future" ... Kristen Blyth, Moscow News; JRL 2012-105 6.9.12

:: Russian Pundits Say 'Reset' With USA Over, Mull Future Of Bilateral Ties
Two Russian pundits interviewed by state-owned RIA Novosti news agency have said that U.S.-Russian relations are entering into a new, post-"reset" phase, but that it remains to be seen how the bilateral relationship will evolve ... RIA-Novosti; JRL 2012-42 3.6.12
:: Swearing-In Ceremony for Ambassador-designate to Russia Mike McFaul
"Now when President Obama convinced Mike to temporarily leave Palo Alto to serve as senior director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council, he became one of the leading architects of what has been called the reset ..." State Department transcript; JRL 2012-7, 1.11.12

:: Reasserting American Exceptionalism in the U.S.-Russia Relationship
"Instead of downplaying Russia's disregard for democratic values and human rights, we should call them on it - publicly, forcefully, frequently. The United States should insist Russia 'reset' its own policies. If those appeals require teeth, the House stands ready to provide them. ..." The Honorable John Boehner, Heritage Foundation transcript; JRL 2012-7, 1.11.12
:: New U.S. ambassador to Russia McFaul sworn in
McFaul said his work will require a more intense dialogue to overcome differences between the countries ... RIA Novosti; JRL 2012-7, 1.11.12
:: U.S. Ambassador John Beyrle Leaves Moscow With Optimism About Russia's Future
"I'm proud to say that since my arrival in 2008, thanks to the unceasing efforts of innumerable partners in both our countries, we have made the U.S.-Russian relationship more constructive and productive ..." Interfax; JRL 2012-7, 1.11.12
:: Swearing-In Ceremony for Ambassador-designate to Russia Mike McFaul
"Now when President Obama convinced Mike to temporarily leave Palo Alto to serve as senior director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council, he became one of the leading architects of what has been called the reset ..." State Department transcript; JRL 2012-7, 1.11.12
:: New U.S. ambassador to Russia McFaul sworn in
McFaul said his work will require a more intense dialogue to overcome differences between the countries ... RIA Novosti; JRL 2012-7, 1.11.12
:: U.S. Ambassador John Beyrle Leaves Moscow With Optimism About Russia's Future
"I'm proud to say that since my arrival in 2008, thanks to the unceasing efforts of innumerable partners in both our countries, we have made the U.S.-Russian relationship more constructive and productive ..." Interfax; JRL 2012-7, 1.11.12

 

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