RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS
Analysts
Alexei Panin
Co-Managing Director, Urus Advisory
Alex Teddy
Co-Managing Director, Urus AdvisoryRecent Country Insights
US sanctions on Russia for buying arms from North Korea
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 17 May 2024
On May 16 the announcement was made in relation to two Russian men and three companies. The United States said they have purchased ballistic missiles, shells and other items for use in Ukraine. Almost all of North Korea's military hardware is of Soviet design so is compatible with Russian weaponr...
Putin in China
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 16 May 2024
On May 16 he landed in Beijing and met his Chinese opposite number. This is a state visit: the supreme expression of cordial relations between sovereign states. It is Putin's first trip abroad since his re-election in March 2024. It signifies the importance he attaches to relations with China. Th...
US speeding up military aid to Ukraine as Russia approaches Kharkiv
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 15 May 2024
On May 15 the US Secretary of State Blinken made the announcement in Kyiv. The aid is part of the USD 61 billion aid package voted through in April 2024. The fast tracked aid includes air defense which is Ukraine's top priority. Blinken met ordinary Ukrainians as well as the president in Kyiv.The...
Georgia approves foreign agent law
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 14 May 2024
On May 14 parliament overwhelmingly passed the bill after months of wrangling. Tens of thousands of people have demonstrated against it since April 2024. The police have sometimes used force against them. President Zurabashvili vowed to veto the bill but admits her veto will probably be overridde...
Russian Defense Minister replaced
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 13 May 2024
On May 12 it was announced that Sergei Shoigu has been removed as Defense Minister and has been appointed the Secretary of the Security Committee instead. Because of his new post it is clear that Shoigu is not disgraced. However, his new post is seen as a non-job. There have been significant prob...
Armenia rocked by protests against ceding land to Azerbaijan
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 12 May 2024
On May 11 peace talks between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia ended in Kazakhstan. The talks did not result in a treaty and both parties say they have not agreed on certain points.In Armenia there have been large scale demonstrations against handing over territory to Azerbaijan. T...
Ukraine to receive more arms
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 11 May 2024
On May 10 the US said it will give Ukraine another USD 400 million worth of military aid in addition to the USD 60 billion package passed in April 2024. Zelensky stated that Ukraine faces a very hard fight in the east. Russia regularly brags of taking villages however, it is clear that Russia is ...
PM of Russia reappointed
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 10 May 2024
On May 10, as we predicted, Mikhail Mishustin was given his job back by Putin. The State Duma voted for him with an overwhelming majority in favor, none against but there were some abstentions. Mishustin had to stand down as President Putin began his 5th term. Putin prizes loyalty above all else....
On Victory Day Putin says Ukraine War is like WW II
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 09 May 2024
On May 9 Putin addressed a crowd in Moscow at the annual commemoration for the end of World War II. Putin denounced Western nations for twisting the history of WW II and for causing conflicts. He railed against Western neo-imperialism and its support for what he termed "neo-Nazism". Putin claimed...