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Deeper Than Oil: Russia’s Euro Joy

Weekly column by Marc Bennetts

It’s a little over two weeks until Euro 2012 kicks off in Ukraine and Poland. Although Russia are involved, this year’s competition is unlikely to see football fever sweep the country in the way it did at the last tournament, four years ago.

Trendwatching: Where the Grass is Green and the Girls are Pretty

Weekly column by Natalia Antonova

The good weather has had Russian protesters camping out in Moscow. The authorities treated this as yet another fad - it’s just kids being kids, having fun, hanging out on the grass, blah blah.

Transmissions from a Lone Star: How I Got Back To Nature

Weekly column by Daniel Kalder

Like many British people, I grew up disconnected from nature. Though my small town was close to forests and woods and water, we pretty much left the animals and plants alone. Specialists, known as “farmers”, were our mediators. Every now and then you might go for a ramble between fields, but that was about it, even though (in Scotland at least) you are never very far away from a herd of sheep.

Uncertain World: Russia Lays Siege to Ukraine

Weekly column by Fyodor Lukyanov

The presidents of Russia and Ukraine have met for the first time since Vladimir Putin’s re-election. This is a strange period in bilateral relations: nothing seems to be happening and there are no public conflicts between the two countries, yet occasional statements coming from both sides clearly point to mutual dissatisfaction and strain in the relationship.

Due West: Putin Signals Foreign Policy Shift

Weekly column by Konstantin von Eggert

Ever since his inauguration on May 7, President Vladimir Putin has been engaged in frenzied activities designed to convince the world that he is in full control of Russian politics, economics and foreign policy.

Features, Opinion & Analysis »

G8 helps Europe and Africa once again

RIA political commentator Dmitry Kosyrev

When evaluating the results of meetings like the recent G8 summit at Camp David, you have to consider differences of perspective.

Belarus-Style Repressions Unlikely in Russia – Experts

RIA Novosti, Alexey Eremenko

The Kremlin is unlikely to mount a full-scale violent crackdown on the resilient opposition like in Belarus despite mounting tensions in Moscow between protesters and police, Russian political analysts said.

Occupy Yourself

Alexey Kovalev

So, Occupy Abai, Moscow’s latest social/political novelty, is no more. In the wee hours of May 16, six hours before the deadline set by Basmanny court, the last remaining members of the camp were removed by the police, forced to leave their paltry possessions behind.