themoscowtimes--2020-01-14--Brain Freeze: Russian Firm Offers Path to Immortality for a Fee

When Alexei Voronenkov 's 70-year-old mother passed away , he paid to have her brain frozen and stored in the hope breakthroughs in science will one day be able to bring her back to life .
It is one of 71 brains and human cadavers — which Russian company KrioRus calls its `` patients '' — floating in liquid nitrogen in one of several meters-tall vats in a corrugated metal shed outside Moscow .
They are stored at minus 196 degrees Celsius with the aim of protecting them against deterioration , although there is currently no evidence science will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did this because we were very close and I think it is the only chance for us to meet in the future , '' said Voronenkov who intends to undergo the procedure , known as cryonics , when he dies .
The head of the Russian Academy of Sciences 's Pseudoscience Commission , Evgeny Alexandrov , described cryonics as `` an exclusively commercial undertaking that does not have any scientific basis , '' in comments to the Izvestia newspaper .
It is `` a fantasy speculating on people 's hopes of resurrection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , '' the newspaper quoted him as saying .
Valeriya Udalova , KrioRus 's director who got her dog frozen when it died in 2008 , said it is likely that humankind will develop the technology to revive dead people in the future , but that there is no guarantee of such technology .
KrioRus says hundreds of potential clients from nearly 20 countries have signed up for its after-death service .
It costs $ 36,000 for a whole body and $ 15,000 for the brain alone for Russians , who earn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to official statistics .
Prices are slightly higher for non-Russians .
The company says it is the only one in Russia and the surrounding region .
Set up in 2005 , it has at least two competitors in the United States , where the practice dates back further .
Voronenkov said he set his hopes on science .
`` I hope one day it reaches a level when we can produce artificial bodies and organs to create an artificial body where my mother 's brain can be integrated . ''
KrioRus ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have dying relatives ' remains preserved are showing how much they love them .
`` They try to bring hope , '' she said .
`` What can we do for our dying relatives or the ones that we love ?
A nice burial , a photo album , '' she said .
`` They go further , proving their love even more . ''

When Alexei Voronenkov's 70-year-old mother passed away, he paid to have her brain frozen and stored in the hope breakthroughs in science will one day be able to bring her back to life.
It is one of 71 brains and human cadavers — which Russian company KrioRus calls its "patients" — floating in liquid nitrogen in one of several meters-tall vats in a corrugated metal shed outside Moscow.
They are stored at minus 196 degrees Celsius with the aim of protecting them against deterioration, although there is currently no evidence science will be able to revive the dead.
"I did this because we were very close and I think it is the only chance for us to meet in the future," said Voronenkov who intends to undergo the procedure, known as cryonics, when he dies.
The head of the Russian Academy of Sciences's Pseudoscience Commission, Evgeny Alexandrov, described cryonics as "an exclusively commercial undertaking that does not have any scientific basis," in comments to the Izvestia newspaper.
It is "a fantasy speculating on people's hopes of resurrection from the dead and dreams of eternal life," the newspaper quoted him as saying.
Valeriya Udalova, KrioRus's director who got her dog frozen when it died in 2008, said it is likely that humankind will develop the technology to revive dead people in the future, but that there is no guarantee of such technology.
KrioRus says hundreds of potential clients from nearly 20 countries have signed up for its after-death service.
It costs $36,000 for a whole body and $15,000 for the brain alone for Russians, who earn average monthly salaries of $760, according to official statistics. Prices are slightly higher for non-Russians.
The company says it is the only one in Russia and the surrounding region. Set up in 2005, it has at least two competitors in the United States, where the practice dates back further.
Voronenkov said he set his hopes on science. "I hope one day it reaches a level when we can produce artificial bodies and organs to create an artificial body where my mother's brain can be integrated."
KrioRus' director Udalova argues that those paying to have dying relatives' remains preserved are showing how much they love them.
"They try to bring hope," she said. "What can we do for our dying relatives or the ones that we love? A nice burial, a photo album," she said. "They go further, proving their love even more."


themoscowtimes--2020-01-14--Russia Investigates World Cup Nigerian Prostitution Ring – TASS

Two Nigerians were arrested in October 2018 and charged with human trafficking after selling one victim to a police officer posing as a client , Russian media reported in December .
Activists say that many of the estimated 2,000 Nigerian women who entered Russia on a World Cup Fan ID are still in slavery , Reuters reported in March .
Authorities in Russia are investigating a Nigerian criminal network that allegedly forced women into prostitution after they arrived visa-free during Russia ’ s football World Cup in 2018 , the state-run TASS news agency reported Monday .
The two suspects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a criminal network that forced young Nigerian women into prostitution , an unnamed Russian law enforcement source told TASS .
`` [ Both ] are witnesses in another criminal case [ into organizing prostitution ] currently being investigated , ” the source was quoted as saying .
The defendants in the organizing prostitution case are also Nigerian nationals , the source said without indicating the overall number of suspects .
The source did not say which stage that case had reached .
The two human trafficking defendants ’ next hearing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court website .
Both deny their guilt , according to TASS .

Two Nigerians were arrested in October 2018 and charged with human trafficking after selling one victim to a police officer posing as a client, Russian media reported in December. Activists say that many of the estimated 2,000 Nigerian women who entered Russia on a World Cup Fan ID are still in slavery, Reuters reported in March.
Authorities in Russia are investigating a Nigerian criminal network that allegedly forced women into prostitution after they arrived visa-free during Russia’s football World Cup in 2018, the state-run TASS news agency reported Monday.
The two suspects in the human trafficking case were allegedly part of a criminal network that forced young Nigerian women into prostitution, an unnamed Russian law enforcement source told TASS.
"[Both] are witnesses in another criminal case [into organizing prostitution] currently being investigated,” the source was quoted as saying.
The defendants in the organizing prostitution case are also Nigerian nationals, the source said without indicating the overall number of suspects.
The source did not say which stage that case had reached.
The two human trafficking defendants’ next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, according to the court website. Both deny their guilt, according to TASS.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-14--Khodorkovsky Was Denied Right to Fair Russian Trial, Court Says

Mikhail Khodorkovsky , the Russian businessman who spent nearly a decade in prison in Russia on what he said were politically motivated charges by the Kremlin , won a second victory at Europe ’ s top human rights court .
The Russian trial judge ’ s refusal to “ allow the defense to examine prosecution and defense witnesses and to submit important expert or exculpatory evidence , ” violated Khodorkovsky ’ s rights and those of his former business partner Platon Lebedev during their second trial in 2009 and 2010 , the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2011 had previously ordered Russia to pay Khodorkovsky about $ 35,000 in damages for jailing him in “ inhuman and degrading conditions ” in 2005 around the time of his first conviction .
Khodorkovsky was arrested in 2003 as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s crackdown on businessmen who gained control of Russia ’ s resource wealth after the Soviet Union collapsed .
Khodorkovsky has maintained his innocence , saying the cases against him and the oil firm Yukos that he had built are retribution for financing opposition parties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khodorkovsky was convicted in 2005 and sentenced to nine years in prison for fraud and tax evasion , in a case that was widely criticized by human rights activists including Amnesty International .
From prison , he continued to campaign to help foster civil society in Russia .
He was released in December 2013 by presidential pardon in the run-up to the Winter Olympics in Sochi , Russia , and now lives in London , where he continues to criticize the Kremlin and advocate for political change in Russia .
Lebedev was freed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving nearly a decade following his 2005 conviction for tax evasion and 2010 conviction on the same money-laundering and embezzlement charges .
Lebedev is in Moscow and is barred from leaving Russia under the terms of his conviction .
In Tuesday ’ s ruling , however , the ECHR didn ’ t find the Russian trial judge had violated independence and impartiality rules , nor had he broken the principle of presumption of innocence of the two defendants .
In a victory for Putin , negative comments the Russian leader made during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t violated the presumption of innocence , the court ruled .
Putin had mentioned the pair being possibly complicit in murders for which Yukos ’ head of security had been convicted , and made comparisons with convicted U.S. fraudster Bernie Madoff .
Lebedev said he would provide comment once he ’ s read the entire decision .
Khodorkovsky ’ s lawyer declined to comment .

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the Russian businessman who spent nearly a decade in prison in Russia on what he said were politically motivated charges by the Kremlin, won a second victory at Europe’s top human rights court. The Russian trial judge’s refusal to “allow the defense to examine prosecution and defense witnesses and to submit important expert or exculpatory evidence,” violated Khodorkovsky’s rights and those of his former business partner Platon Lebedev during their second trial in 2009 and 2010, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday. The Strasbourg, France-based ECHR had in 2011 had previously ordered Russia to pay Khodorkovsky about $35,000 in damages for jailing him in “inhuman and degrading conditions” in 2005 around the time of his first conviction.
news Dutch Supreme Court Rules That Russia Unlawfully Bankrupted Yukos Read more
Khodorkovsky was arrested in 2003 as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on businessmen who gained control of Russia’s resource wealth after the Soviet Union collapsed. Khodorkovsky has maintained his innocence, saying the cases against him and the oil firm Yukos that he had built are retribution for financing opposition parties, an accusation the Kremlin has denied. Khodorkovsky was convicted in 2005 and sentenced to nine years in prison for fraud and tax evasion, in a case that was widely criticized by human rights activists including Amnesty International. From prison, he continued to campaign to help foster civil society in Russia. He was released in December 2013 by presidential pardon in the run-up to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and now lives in London, where he continues to criticize the Kremlin and advocate for political change in Russia. Embezzlement charges Lebedev was freed from prison in January 2014 after also serving nearly a decade following his 2005 conviction for tax evasion and 2010 conviction on the same money-laundering and embezzlement charges. Lebedev is in Moscow and is barred from leaving Russia under the terms of his conviction. In Tuesday’s ruling, however, the ECHR didn’t find the Russian trial judge had violated independence and impartiality rules, nor had he broken the principle of presumption of innocence of the two defendants.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-14--Siberian Shaman Seeks Global Allies in Latest Quest to ‘Expel’ Putin

Alexander Gabyshev was detained twice last year while hiking toward Moscow to expel Putin from the Kremlin .
Activists say authorities suspect Gabyshev of inciting extremism , a criminal charge that carries a prison sentence of up to four years .
A Siberian shaman has called on supporters from around the world to join his third attempt to cast President Vladimir Putin out of power this spring .
“ Welcome to my squad , every volunteer from Russia and the world , ” Gabyshev said in a video address published Sunday announcing his third cross-country trek .
He noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journey in March .
When he embarked on his first trip from his native republic of Sakha in March 2019 , Gabyshev estimated he would reach the Russian capital by 2021 .
“ We ’ ll leave as a squad , regardless of the court decisions , ” the self-described shaman said .
“ I only obey the law of God .
He said March and so March it will be… Nothing will hold us back.
” Gabyshev maintained that his march “ to exorcise the demon ” will be peaceful .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take up arms or for violence , ” he said .
“ As for me , I ’ m a warrior .
I ’ ve chosen the path of a warrior.
” He has previously described plans to cast out Putin by lighting a bonfire near the Kremlin wall on Red Square and performing a prayer .
Gabyshev last year told The New York Times that “ Putin will come to his senses and quietly resign ” after the ritual is done .
Various parts of Russia practice shamanism , a belief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harness the energy of the spirit world .
Authorities banned Gabyshev from leaving his hometown of Yakutsk .
That restriction was reported to have been lifted on Dec. 23 .

Alexander Gabyshev was detained twice last year while hiking toward Moscow to expel Putin from the Kremlin. Activists say authorities suspect Gabyshev of inciting extremism, a criminal charge that carries a prison sentence of up to four years.
A Siberian shaman has called on supporters from around the world to join his third attempt to cast President Vladimir Putin out of power this spring.
“Welcome to my squad, every volunteer from Russia and the world,” Gabyshev said in a video address published Sunday announcing his third cross-country trek.
He noted that preparations were underway to restart the Moscow-bound journey in March. When he embarked on his first trip from his native republic of Sakha in March 2019, Gabyshev estimated he would reach the Russian capital by 2021.
“We’ll leave as a squad, regardless of the court decisions,” the self-described shaman said. “I only obey the law of God. He said March and so March it will be… Nothing will hold us back.”
Gabyshev maintained that his march “to exorcise the demon” will be peaceful.
“I’m not calling on anyone to take up arms or for violence,” he said. “As for me, I’m a warrior. I’ve chosen the path of a warrior.”
He has previously described plans to cast out Putin by lighting a bonfire near the Kremlin wall on Red Square and performing a prayer. Gabyshev last year told The New York Times that “Putin will come to his senses and quietly resign” after the ritual is done.
Various parts of Russia practice shamanism, a belief that its practitioners can communicate with and harness the energy of the spirit world.
Authorities banned Gabyshev from leaving his hometown of Yakutsk. That restriction was reported to have been lifted on Dec. 23.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-14--Moscow’s Record Wave of Bomb Hoaxes Continues Into 2020

The New Year ’ s holidays provided a brief respite from the bomb hoaxes which have intermittently plagued Russia since late 2017 .
A record 1.1 million have been evacuated from Moscow ’ s schools , hospitals , courthouses , metro stations and airports since Nov. 28 , Bloomberg reported on New Year ’ s Eve .
More than 50,000 Muscovites have been evacuated in 2020 so far in the latest wave of bomb threats after more than 1 million evacuations last year , Interfax reported Tuesday .
More than 40,000 people were evacuated on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the matter told Interfax on Monday .
On Tuesday , the source said around 10,000 people were evacuated the previous day .
The threats that turned out to be hoaxes targeted at least 2,800 buildings since the start of 2020 , the news agency reported .
These include around 100 schools , which reportedly began receiving threats on Jan. 8 but did not evacuate anyone because it was not a school day .
Moscow ’ s Cathedral of Christ the Savior was also targeted for the 10th time since Nov. 28 , Interfax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somewhat died down since the 2017 epidemic , Khinshtein said Russian security services explained the problem to lawmakers in closed briefings .
The source of the calls that prompted the mass evacuations in the Russian capital has still not been established .

The New Year’s holidays provided a brief respite from the bomb hoaxes which have intermittently plagued Russia since late 2017. A record 1.1 million have been evacuated from Moscow’s schools, hospitals, courthouses, metro stations and airports since Nov. 28, Bloomberg reported on New Year’s Eve.
More than 50,000 Muscovites have been evacuated in 2020 so far in the latest wave of bomb threats after more than 1 million evacuations last year, Interfax reported Tuesday.
More than 40,000 people were evacuated on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 alone, an unnamed source familiar with the matter told Interfax on Monday. On Tuesday, the source said around 10,000 people were evacuated the previous day.
The threats that turned out to be hoaxes targeted at least 2,800 buildings since the start of 2020, the news agency reported.
These include around 100 schools, which reportedly began receiving threats on Jan. 8 but did not evacuate anyone because it was not a school day.
Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior was also targeted for the 10th time since Nov. 28, Interfax reported Tuesday.
“We’re dealing with cyberterrorism here,” lawmaker Alexander Khinshtein told Bloomberg on Dec. 31.
Although television coverage has somewhat died down since the 2017 epidemic, Khinshtein said Russian security services explained the problem to lawmakers in closed briefings.
The source of the calls that prompted the mass evacuations in the Russian capital has still not been established.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-14--Russian Hackers Targeted Ukrainian Company at Center of Trump's Impeachment Storm

Russian military hackers tried to steal emails from the Ukrainian energy firm where Hunter Biden , the son of Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden , had a seat on the board , a U.S. cybersecurity firm said on Monday .
Energy company Burisma Holdings was at the center of attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump last July to pressure Ukrainian authorities to announce an investigation into the Bidens for purported corruption , an effort that has led to the Republican being impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
California-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burisma and linked it to Russia 's Main Directorate of Military Intelligence , or GRU .
The same hacking group , known as `` Fancy Bear '' by cybersecurity researchers , breached the Democratic National Committee in 2016 in what U.S. investigators described as part of an operation to disrupt that year 's election .
`` You can see this attack really is starting to parallel with what we saw in 2016 , '' Oren Falkowitz , Area 1 's chief executive , said in an interview .
The Russian Defense Ministry did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
Officials at the U.S. National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security declined to comment .
Burisma did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
A source close to Burisma said the company 's website had been subject to multiple break-in attempts over the past six months but did not provide further details .
What data the hackers were looking to steal is not clear , Area 1 said .
Breaching Burisma could yield communications from , to , or about Hunter Biden , who served as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leak of stolen data could potentially affect the impeachment process and U.S. electoral contest .
Area 1 said it became aware of the Russian targeting of Burisma after its email security scanning product found suspicious evidence online , including `` decoy domains '' — websites designed to imitate legitimate email services used by Burisma 's subsidiaries .
Publicly available domain registration records examined by Reuters show that the hackers created the decoy domains between Nov. 11 , the day before U.S. Democrats began their first public impeachment hearings , and Dec. 3 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took up the issue .
The records show that the same people also registered fake domains for a Ukrainian media company , named Kvartal 95 , in March and April 2019 .
Kvartal 95 was founded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and multiple employees of the station have since joined his administration .
Kvartal 95 and representatives for Zelenskiy did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
Area 1 's report said it discovered the GRU had targeted two subsidiaries of Burisma , KUB Gas LLC and Esko Pivnich , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affiliated with the firm , using lookalike domains intended to trick employees into providing their email passwords .
Burisma and its subsidiaries share the same email server , Area 1 said , meaning a breach at any of the companies could expose them all .
The report gave a limited indication of how Area 1 determined that the lookalike domains were the work of the GRU , pointing mainly to similarities in how the hackers had previously set their digital traps .
Area 1 co-founder Blake Darche said unpublished data gathered by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer in Moscow , whose identity he was unable to establish .
But Darch said `` we are 100 percent certain '' that the GRU was behind the hacking .
An outside researcher , Kyle Ehmke of Virginia-based cybersecurity firm ThreatConnect , who reviewed the malicious domains flagged by Area 1 , said based on the information he had seen , he believed `` with moderate confidence '' that the websites were devised by the GRU .
Ehmke said that the hacking operation against Burisma used tools and methods consistent with Russian hackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complete picture was lacking .
Russian spies have routinely targeted Ukrainian energy firms with cyberattacks since Russia threw its weight behind a separatist takeover in eastern Ukraine in 2014 .
Andrew Bates , a spokesman for Joe Biden , did not comment directly on the hack but said in an email : `` Any American president who had not repeatedly encouraged foreign interventions of this kind would immediately condemn this attack on the sovereignty of our elections . ''
U.S. intelligence officials have issued warnings that Russia is working to intervene in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking reelection and Biden is a potential opponent out of a dozen Democrats seeking their party 's nomination .
Trump denies he did anything wrong by asking Ukrainian officials to investigate Hunter Biden 's relationship with Burisma .
There has been no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens , who reject Trump 's allegations of graft , and officials in his administration have rebuked his claims about them .

Energy company Burisma Holdings was at the center of attempts by President Donald Trump last July to pressure Ukrainian authorities into announcing an investigation into the Bidens for purported corruption, an effort that has led to the Republican being impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Russian military hackers tried to steal emails from the Ukrainian energy firm where Hunter Biden, the son of Democratic U.S. presidential contender Joe Biden, had a seat on the board, an American cybersecurity firm said on Monday.
Trump denies he did anything wrong by asking Ukrainian officials to investigate Hunter Biden's relationship with Burisma. There has been no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens, who reject Trump's allegations of graft.
California-based Area 1 Security identified the hacking of Burisma and linked it to Russia's Main Directorate of Military Intelligence, or GRU. The same hacking group, known as "Fancy Bear" or "APT28" by cybersecurity researchers, breached the Democratic National Committee in 2016 in what U.S. investigators described as part of an operation to disrupt that year's election.
"You can see this attack really is starting to parallel with what we saw in 2016," Oren Falkowitz, Area 1's chief executive, said in an interview.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Officials at the U.S. National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security declined to comment.
Burisma did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A source close to Burisma told Reuters the company's website had been subject to multiple break-in attempts over the past six months but did not provide further details.
What data the hackers were looking to steal is not clear, Area 1 said. Breaching Burisma could yield communications from, to, or about Hunter Biden, who served as a director between 2014 and 2019. A leak of stolen data could potentially affect the impeachment process and the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
Area 1 said it became aware of the Russian targeting of Burisma after its email security scanning product found suspicious evidence online, including "decoy domains": websites designed to imitate legitimate email services used by Burisma's subsidiaries.
Publicly available domain registration records examined by Reuters show that the hackers created the decoy domains between Nov. 11, the day before U.S. Democrats began their first public impeachment hearings, and Dec. 3, the day before the House Judiciary Committee took up the matter.
The records show that the same people also registered fake domains for a Ukrainian media company, named Kvartal 95, in March and April 2019. Kvartal 95 was founded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and multiple employees of the company have since joined his administration.
Kvartal 95 and representatives for Zelenskiy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Area 1's report said it discovered the GRU had targeted two subsidiaries of Burisma - KUB Gas LLC and Esko Pivnich - as well as CUB Energy Inc, which was affiliated with the company, using lookalike domains intended to trick employees into providing their email passwords.
Burisma and its subsidiaries share the same email server, Area 1 said, meaning a breach at any of the companies could expose them all.
The report gave a limited indication of how Area 1 determined that the lookalike domains were the work of the GRU, pointing mainly to similarities in how the hackers had previously set their digital traps. Area 1 co-founder Blake Darche said unpublished data gathered by his firm linked the operation to a specific officer in Moscow, whose identity he was unable to establish.
But Darche said "we are 100% certain" that the GRU was behind the hacking.
An outside researcher, Kyle Ehmke of Virginia-based cybersecurity firm ThreatConnect, who reviewed the malicious domains flagged by Area 1, said based on the information he had seen, he believed "with moderate confidence" that the websites were devised by the GRU.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-14--Criminal Case Opened Against Cops Who Arrested Russian Journalist Golunov

The Meduza investigative journalist was arrested in June on drug charges he argued were fabricated and released days later after an unprecedented public outcry .
Police dropped all charges against him , but the drug case is still ongoing and efforts to apprehend the officers who arrested him had stagnated .
Russian investigators have launched a criminal case into abuse of power against police officers who detained investigative journalist Ivan Golunov last year , Golunov said Monday .
A senior investigator informed Golunov in a letter that authorities opened a criminal inquiry into exceeding powers , according to a photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media .
The letter was dated Dec. 18 .
On Dec. 19 , President Vladimir Putin announced criminal charges against five police officers who had arrested Golunov but didn ’ t specify which charges they were .
Abuse of power charges carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years , if the defendants are found guilty .
The letter did not indicate which or how many police officers would face charges .
Update : An investigator later informed Golunov that he has been named a victim in the abuse of power case @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Meduza investigative journalist was arrested in June on drug charges he argued were fabricated and released days later after an unprecedented public outcry. Police dropped all charges against him, but the drug case is still ongoing and efforts to apprehend the officers who arrested him had stagnated.
Russian investigators have launched a criminal case into abuse of power against police officers who detained investigative journalist Ivan Golunov last year, Golunov said Monday.
A senior investigator informed Golunov in a letter that authorities opened a criminal inquiry into exceeding powers, according to a photo of the letter posted on his social media. The letter was dated Dec. 18.
On Dec. 19, President Vladimir Putin announced criminal charges against five police officers who had arrested Golunov but didn’t specify which charges they were.
Abuse of power charges carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years, if the defendants are found guilty. The letter did not indicate which or how many police officers would face charges.
Update: An investigator later informed Golunov that he has been named a victim in the abuse of power case, he wrote on social media.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-13--Libya Peace Talks in Moscow Fall Short of Ceasefire

In talks that lasted about eight hours , mediators Russia and Turkey urged the rivals to sign a binding truce and pave the way for a settlement that would stabilize the North African country mired in chaos since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 .
Libya 's warring leaders made some progress at indirect peace talks in Moscow on Monday but failed to agree on an open-ended ceasefire to end a nine-month war over the capital Tripoli .
Fayez al-Serraj , who heads Libya 's Tripoli-based internationally recognized government which has struggled to fend off an offensive by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) faction , signed the ceasefire agreement , Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said .
`` Today we can report that some progress was made , '' Lavrov told reporters at the elegant 19th-century Moscow mansion where the talks were held .
But Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said LNA commander Khalifa Haftar had asked for until Tuesday morning to make up his mind on the ceasefire .
In a sign the LNA might continue its offensive , it said on an official website that it was `` ready and determined '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but another website close to the force said Haftar will not sign the ceasefire proposal .
Pro-LNA channels and the state-run TASS news agency said Haftar had already left Moscow .
Pro-LNA social media posts have called to stage a rally to support Haftar on Tuesday in the main eastern city of Benghazi .
The Russo-Turkish push , which involved laborious indirect contacts between the two Libyan delegations , is the latest attempt to end chaos in the the oil-producing country .
TASS reported that Serraj had refused to engage in direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish diplomats to act as go-betweens .
The two men last met in Abu Dhabi in February 2019 before talks broke down over a power-sharing deal and Haftar moved his troops on Tripoli in April , expanding his control beyond the east and south .
Speaking alongside Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Ankara , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country was working to ensure a ceasefire in Libya becomes permanent .
He said he hoped the Moscow talks would form the basis of discussions at a summit in Berlin on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend with Conte and Russian President Vladimir Putin .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday she planned to host such a summit after holding talks with Putin .
Turkey backs Haftar 's rival , Serraj , while Russian military contractors have been deployed alongside Haftar 's LNA forces , which are also backed by the United Arab Emirates , Egypt and Jordan .
The Tripoli war has wrecked Libya 's economy and risks disrupting oil production and triggering flows of African migrants trying to reach Europe by boats with the help of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks come after a ceasefire , initiated by Turkey and Russia , saw a lull in heavy fighting and air strikes on Sunday , though both factions accused each other of violating that truce as skirmishes continued around Tripoli .
Reuters journalists in Tripoli said it was quiet in the centre on Monday and that they could hear no clashes or shelling .
But late at night more shelling could be heard .
Mitiga airport , the capital 's only functioning airport , had resumed operations , a Reuters witness said .
Flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rockets falling nearby .
Haftar 's troops have not been able to breach Tripoli 's defenses but have in recent weeks made some small progress with help from Russian mercenaries , residents say .
That has pushed Turkey , which has business interests in the country , to deploy soldiers to Libya to help the Tripoli government .

In talks that lasted about eight hours, mediators Russia and Turkey urged the rivals to sign a binding truce and pave the way for a settlement that would stabilize the North African country mired in chaos since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Libya's warring leaders made some progress at indirect peace talks in Moscow on Monday but failed to agree on an open-ended ceasefire to end a nine-month war over the capital Tripoli.
Fayez al-Serraj, who heads Libya's Tripoli-based internationally recognized government which has struggled to fend off an offensive by the eastern based Libya National Army (LNA) faction, signed the ceasefire agreement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"Today we can report that some progress was made," Lavrov told reporters at the elegant 19th-century Moscow mansion where the talks were held.
But Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said LNA commander Khalifa Haftar had asked for until Tuesday morning to make up his mind on the ceasefire.
In a sign the LNA might continue its offensive, it said on an official website that it was "ready and determined" to achieve victory.
It gave no details, but another website close to the force said Haftar will not sign the ceasefire proposal. Pro-LNA channels and the state-run TASS news agency said Haftar had already left Moscow.
Pro-LNA social media posts have called to stage a rally to support Haftar on Tuesday in the main eastern city of Benghazi.
The Russo-Turkish push, which involved laborious indirect contacts between the two Libyan delegations, is the latest attempt to end chaos in the the oil-producing country.
TASS reported that Serraj had refused to engage in direct talks with Haftar, forcing Russian and Turkish diplomats to act as go-betweens.
The two men last met in Abu Dhabi in February 2019 before talks broke down over a power-sharing deal and Haftar moved his troops on Tripoli in April, expanding his control beyond the east and south.
Speaking alongside Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country was working to ensure a ceasefire in Libya becomes permanent.
He said he hoped the Moscow talks would form the basis of discussions at a summit in Berlin on Sunday, which he said he would attend with Conte and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday she planned to host such a summit after holding talks with Putin.
Tripoli
Turkey backs Haftar's rival, Serraj, while Russian military contractors have been deployed alongside Haftar's LNA forces, which are also backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan.
The Tripoli war has wrecked Libya's economy and risks disrupting oil production and triggering flows of African migrants trying to reach Europe by boats with the help of smugglers exploiting the chaos.
The Moscow talks come after a ceasefire, initiated by Turkey and Russia, saw a lull in heavy fighting and air strikes on Sunday, though both factions accused each other of violating that truce as skirmishes continued around Tripoli.
Reuters journalists in Tripoli said it was quiet in the centre on Monday and that they could hear no clashes or shelling. But late at night more shelling could be heard.
Mitiga airport, the capital's only functioning airport, had resumed operations, a Reuters witness said. Flights were suspended earlier this month due to rockets falling nearby.
Haftar's troops have not been able to breach Tripoli's defenses but have in recent weeks made some small progress with help from Russian mercenaries, residents say. That has pushed Turkey, which has business interests in the country, to deploy soldiers to Libya to help the Tripoli government.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-13--Russia Advises Aeroflot to Avoid Tehran at Night After Ukraine Airliner Crash

Tehran has acknowledged shooting down the Ukrainian jetliner by mistake on Jan. 8 , killing all 176 people aboard .
Russia ’ s civil aviation authority told its air carriers to avoid airspace around the region but fell short of issuing a blanket ban .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry has advised the country ’ s national carrier Aeroflot to avoid airspace over Tehran at night after Iran ’ s downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane , the RBC news website reported Monday .
The Foreign Ministry recommended that Aeroflot only perform flights to and from Tehran in daylight hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the decision as saying .
It was unclear if Aeroflot followed that advice , but its hub , Moscow 's Sheremetyevo Airport , has delayed flights to and from Tehran by at least four hours since Saturday , according to RIA Novosti .
Tehran said its air defenses were fired in error while on alert in the days after Iranian missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq .
It said the airliner was mistaken for a `` hostile target '' after it turned toward a sensitive military base of the elite Revolutionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to suspend its nighttime flights to Iran without the Foreign Ministry 's recommendation , Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference Tuesday .

Tehran has acknowledged shooting down the Ukrainian jetliner by mistake on Jan. 8, killing all 176 people aboard. Russia’s civil aviation authority told its air carriers to avoid airspace around the region but fell short of issuing a blanket ban.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has advised the country’s national carrier Aeroflot to avoid airspace over Tehran at night after Iran’s downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane, the RBC news website reported Monday.
The Foreign Ministry recommended that Aeroflot only perform flights to and from Tehran in daylight hours, RBC cited two unnamed sources familiar with the decision as saying.
It was unclear if Aeroflot followed that advice, but its hub, Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, has delayed flights to and from Tehran by at least four hours since Saturday, according to RIA Novosti.
Tehran said its air defenses were fired in error while on alert in the days after Iranian missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq. It said the airliner was mistaken for a "hostile target" after it turned toward a sensitive military base of the elite Revolutionary Guards near Tehran.
Update: Aeroflot decided to suspend its nighttime flights to Iran without the Foreign Ministry's recommendation, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference Tuesday.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-13--Russian Journalists in Africa Were Killed in ‘Robbery,’ Investigators Say

Three Russian journalists investigating a secretive Kremlin-linked military group in the Central African Republic ( CAR ) were killed in a robbery attempt , a senior Russian investigator said in an interview with the Kommersant business daily Monday .
Kirill Radchenko , Alexander Rastorguyev and Orkhan Dzhemal were shot and killed on July 30 , 2018 , while investigating the activities of the Wagner mercenary group .
Russian investigators and the Foreign Ministry have said the three men were killed while resisting a robbery attempt .
“ The established circumstances of the attack point to murder for the purpose of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of the Investigative Committee , told Kommersant in response to a question about complaints toward the investigation .
Krasnov said the culprits are likely “ residents of CAR or neighboring countries who are systematically engaged in committing violent crimes in this region.
” The slain reporters ’ colleagues and relatives have questioned the robbery theory .
Dzhemal ’ s ex-wife and fellow journalist Irina Gordiyenko alleged Monday that Krasnov did not provide any fresh evidence to support his claim .
“ They wrote the same in a press release just over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ’ s investigative outlet Dossier , led by exiled tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky who also funded the murdered journalists ’ ill-fated CAR investigation , linked the deaths to Wagner last year .
Wagner is alleged to be run by businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin , a restaurateur with close ties to the Kremlin .
Prigozhin is under U.S. sanctions for alleged election meddling .
Russian authorities deny that Wagner contractors carry out their orders .

Three Russian journalists investigating a secretive Kremlin-linked military group in the Central African Republic (CAR) were killed in a robbery attempt, a senior Russian investigator said in an interview with the Kommersant business daily Monday. Kirill Radchenko, Alexander Rastorguyev and Orkhan Dzhemal were shot and killed on July 30, 2018, while investigating the activities of the Wagner mercenary group. Russian investigators and the Foreign Ministry have said the three men were killed while resisting a robbery attempt.
“The established circumstances of the attack point to murder for the purpose of robbery,” Igor Krasnov, deputy chief of the Investigative Committee, told Kommersant in response to a question about complaints toward the investigation. Krasnov said the culprits are likely “residents of CAR or neighboring countries who are systematically engaged in committing violent crimes in this region.” The slain reporters’ colleagues and relatives have questioned the robbery theory. Dzhemal’s ex-wife and fellow journalist Irina Gordiyenko alleged Monday that Krasnov did not provide any fresh evidence to support his claim. “They wrote the same in a press release just over a year ago,” Gordiyenko told Interfax.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-13--Finnish Court Rejects Russian Businessman Rotenberg's Suit Against Nordic Banks

`` Helsinki District Court has rejected Boris Rotenberg 's complaint over the right to banking services and damages for discrimination , '' the court said in a statement .
Boris Rotenberg , a Russian businessman under U.S. sanctions over the Ukraine conflict due to his close ties with President Vladimir Putin , on Monday lost a discrimination lawsuit he filed in a Finnish court against four Nordic banks .
Rotenberg , who also holds Finnish citizenship , accused Nordea , Danske Bank , Handelsbanken and OP Bank of refusing to allow him to make payments and of violating his right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The court said Rotenberg had failed to prove he was a person living in the European Economic Area and therefore he was not entitled to basic banking services in Finland .
It also ruled the banks ' concerns of significant financial risks related to Rotenberg 's transactions were not unfounded .
The court ordered Rotenberg to pay the banks ' legal expenses , amounting to around 530,000 euros ( $ 589,360 ) .
Contacted by Reuters via his lawyer , Rotenberg was not immediately available for comment .
The decision can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU sanctions over Russia 's role in Ukraine but European banks must comply with the U.S. sanctions in order to do business with U.S. banks .
The United States and the EU imposed sanctions on Russia after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and increased them after Moscow backed rebels fighting government troops in eastern Ukraine .
Rotenberg and his brother Arkady are longtime friends of Putin and Washington considers both of them members of the president 's `` inner circle . ''
In his lawsuit , Rotenberg complained he has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finland after the banks refused to transmit payments of his ordinary invoices , including a traffic tax payment worth just 18.60 euros .
`` A systematic choice was made in drafting the EU sanctions lists that no EU citizens would be included in the lists , even if they had been flagged by the U.S. presidential administration on their ( ... ) list , '' he wrote in the complaint , which was filed at Helsinki District Court in October 2018 .
Nordea in an emailed statement to Reuters said it was complying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` We appreciate the clarity that the District Court has provided in its thoroughly grounded decision . ''
Handelsbanken told Reuters : `` The statement of judgment reflects Handelsbanken 's view of the matter and we are pleased with the outcome . ''
A bank spokesman said : `` Danske Bank takes anti-money laundering and the sanctions related to it very seriously and has taken significant action to ensure our operations comply with regulation . ''
OP said it was reviewing the court 's decision and declined to comment .
Russian oligarchs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in different courts since they were imposed starting in 2014 following Russia 's annexation of Crimea .
In one of the most prominent cases Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska sued the United States last year , alleging that it had overstepped its legal bounds in imposing sanctions on him .

"Helsinki District Court has rejected Boris Rotenberg's complaint over the right to banking services and damages for discrimination," the court said in a statement.
Boris Rotenberg, a Russian businessman under U.S. sanctions over the Ukraine conflict due to his close ties with President Vladimir Putin, on Monday lost a discrimination lawsuit he filed in a Finnish court against four Nordic banks.
Rotenberg, who also holds Finnish citizenship, accused Nordea, Danske Bank, Handelsbanken and OP Bank of refusing to allow him to make payments and of violating his right to equal treatment as an EU citizen.
The court said Rotenberg had failed to prove he was a person living in the European Economic Area and therefore he was not entitled to basic banking services in Finland.
It also ruled the banks' concerns of significant financial risks related to Rotenberg's transactions were not unfounded.
The court ordered Rotenberg to pay the banks' legal expenses, amounting to around 530,000 euros ($589,360).
Contacted by Reuters via his lawyer, Rotenberg was not immediately available for comment. The decision can be appealed.
U.S. sanctions
Rotenberg is not subject to EU sanctions over Russia's role in Ukraine but European banks must comply with the U.S. sanctions in order to do business with U.S. banks.
The United States and the EU imposed sanctions on Russia after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and increased them after Moscow backed rebels fighting government troops in eastern Ukraine.
Rotenberg and his brother Arkady are longtime friends of Putin and Washington considers both of them members of the president's "inner circle."
In his lawsuit, Rotenberg complained he has been unable to fulfil his legal obligations in Finland after the banks refused to transmit payments of his ordinary invoices, including a traffic tax payment worth just 18.60 euros.
"A systematic choice was made in drafting the EU sanctions lists that no EU citizens would be included in the lists, even if they had been flagged by the U.S. presidential administration on their (...) list," he wrote in the complaint, which was filed at Helsinki District Court in October 2018.
Nordea in an emailed statement to Reuters said it was complying with all laws and regulations and added: "We appreciate the clarity that the District Court has provided in its thoroughly grounded decision."
Handelsbanken told Reuters: "The statement of judgment reflects Handelsbanken's view of the matter and we are pleased with the outcome."
A bank spokesman said: "Danske Bank takes anti-money laundering and the sanctions related to it very seriously and has taken significant action to ensure our operations comply with regulation."
OP said it was reviewing the court's decision and declined to comment.
Russian oligarchs and companies have tried to challenge sanctions in different courts since they were imposed starting in 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea.
In one of the most prominent cases Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska sued the United States last year, alleging that it had overstepped its legal bounds in imposing sanctions on him.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-15--6 Highlights From Putin's State of the Nation Address

President Vladimir Putin turned an eye toward Russia ’ s domestic affairs in his annual state-of-the-nation speech Wednesday , outlining @ @ @ @ @ ’ s political , economic and social problems .
Addressing both houses of parliament , @ @ @ @ @ the Manezh Central Exhibition Hall , Putin discussed Russia ’ s demographic crisis , the @ @ @ @ @ defense .
In addition to setting out key policy areas , Putin announced a referendum @ @ @ @ @ , who is serving his fourth overall presidential term , also reiterated lukewarm support toward @ @ @ @ @ any future president can serve .
Here ’ s a look at the top takeaways @ @ @ @ @ We need a referendum on the entire package of amendments to the Constitution.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ State Duma [ lower house of parliament ] with not just approving but [ choosing @ @ @ @ @ s candidacy.
” “ I don ’ t consider [ the two consecutive term limit @ @ @ @ @ , but I agree with it .
”

“I don’t consider [the two consecutive term limit] a matter of principle, but I agree with it.”
“We need to entrust the State Duma [lower house of parliament] with not just approving but [choosing] the prime minister’s candidacy.”
“We need a referendum on the entire package of amendments to the Constitution.”
Here’s a look at the top takeaways from his speech:
In addition to setting out key policy areas, Putin announced a referendum on constitutional amendments. Putin, who is serving his fourth overall presidential term, also reiterated lukewarm support toward limiting the number of terms any future president can serve.
Addressing both houses of parliament, the Federal Assembly, at the Manezh Central Exhibition Hall, Putin discussed Russia’s demographic crisis, the poverty level and Russia's defense.
President Vladimir Putin turned an eye toward Russia’s domestic affairs in his annual state-of-the-nation speech Wednesday, outlining proposals for fixing the country’s political, economic and social problems.
On defense
“For the first time, we’re not chasing anyone.”
"We are not threatening anyone or striving to impose our will [on other countries]. At the same time, I can assure everyone: Our steps to strengthen national security have been taken in a timely and sufficient manner."
“We’re not catching up with anyone. On the contrary, other states will have to create weapons that Russia already has.”
On Russian law and international treaties
"I really do think that the time has come to introduce certain changes to the country's main law that will directly guarantee the Russian constitution is the priority in our legal space," Putin said.
"This means that the demands of international legislation and treaties, and also the decisions of international bodies can only apply to Russia's territory when they do not entail restricting human and citizens' rights and freedoms, and do not contradict our constitution."
On the economy
“Based on a stable macroeconomic foundation, we need to create the conditions for real incomes to increase significantly.”
“In order to solve this problem, we need structural changes in the national economy and an increase in its efficiency. Russia should achieve a higher GDP growth rate than the rest of the world in 2021.”
“Starting this year, annual investment growth should be at least 5% and its share in the country's GDP should be increased from the current 21% to 25% in 2024.”
On poverty
“The state will provide regular payments to [low-income] citizens, assistance in job training and advanced training and assistance in finding a job or starting a small business.”
“The regions have already begun to introduce this ‘social contract’ mechanism, but its effectiveness is still extremely low and the impact on poverty reduction and on increasing family incomes is weak.”
“There is an acute problem which is a direct threat to our demographic future: The low incomes of a significant number of families.”
On demographics
“Our historical responsibility is not only to get out of the demographic trap, but also ensure sustainable natural population growth by the middle of the coming decade.”
“In 2024, the birth rate should be 1.7” children per woman.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-15--Putin Proposes Power Shift to Parliament and PM, in Possible Hint at Own Future

Putin 's comments are likely to reignite speculation about his plans once his current presidential term ends in 2024 .
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed giving parliament the power to choose Russia 's prime minister and other key positions , a major change to the Russian constitution that may offer a hint about his own future .
Critics have long accused him of plotting to stay on in some capacity to wield power over the world 's largest nation after he steps down .
He remains popular with many Russians who see him as a welcome source of stability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in power for too long .
In his annual state-of-the-nation speech , Putin said the changes he was proposing to Russia 's political system — handing parliament and the prime minister more power at the expense of the president — were so serious that he wanted a nationwide referendum to be held to agree them .
In power as either president or prime minister since 1999 , Putin , 67 , is due to step down in 2024 when his fourth presidential term ends .
Under the current constitution , which bans anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms , Putin is barred from immediately running again .
But critics have suggested he is considering various options to remain at the helm , including by shifting power to parliament and then assuming an enhanced role as prime minister after he steps down in 2024 .
On Wednesday , Putin told Russia 's political elite he wanted to allow the State Duma , the lower house of the Russian parliament , to be given the power to confirm the candidacy of the country 's prime minister .
The new prime minister would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's deputy prime ministers and government ministers which parliament would also confirm .
`` The president would be obliged to appoint them ( the parliament 's confirmed picks ) to these jobs , '' said Putin .
`` He would not be allowed to reject candidates confirmed by parliament . ''

In power as either president or prime minister since 1999, Putin, 67, is due to step down in 2024 when his fourth presidential term ends.
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed a nationwide vote on sweeping constitutional changes that would shift power from the presidency to parliament and the prime minister, a move that could allow him to extend his rule after leaving the Kremlin.
He has not yet said what he plans to do when his term expires, but under the current constitution, which bans anyone from serving more than two successive presidential terms, Putin is barred from immediately running again.
Putin told the country's political elite in his annual state-of-the-nation speech on Wednesday that he favoured changing the constitution to hand the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, the power to choose Russia's prime minister and other key positions.
"Of course these are very serious changes to the political system," Putin said, adding that he thought parliament and civil society was ready for the changes.
"It would increase the role and significance of the country's parliament ... of parliamentary parties, and the independence and responsibility of the prime minister."
Putin's comments are likely to reignite speculation about his plans once his current presidential term ends in 2024.
Critics have long accused him of plotting to stay on in some capacity to wield power over the world's largest nation after he steps down. He remains popular with many Russians who see him as a welcome source of stability even as others complain he's been in power for too long.
Critics have suggested he is considering various options to remain at the helm, including by shifting power to parliament and then assuming an enhanced role as prime minister after he steps down in 2024.
Another option often mentioned is his heading a State Council, a body that Putin said on Wednesday he thought should be given more powers under the constitution.
Although it remains unclear whether Putin will play a major role in Russian political life after 2024, his new proposals point to possible options if he decides to remain at the top table of Russian politics as many supporters and critics expect.
Under the proposals, the prime minister would present parliament with candidates for the country's deputy prime ministers and government ministers, which parliament would also confirm.
"The president would be obliged to appoint them (the parliament's confirmed picks) to these jobs," said Putin. "He would not be allowed to reject candidates confirmed by parliament."
Dmitri Trenin, head of the Moscow Carnegie Center, said Putin had begun the process of redrawing state powers ahead of the 2024 end to his current presidency.
According to Trenin, Putin also appeared to be moving to limit the power of a presidential successor after he said on Wednesday that he favored limiting the number of presidential terms anyone can serve to two.
Putin himself is currently on his fourth term.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-15--U.S. ‘Climate Weapon’ Caused Russia’s Warm Winter, Lawmaker Says

Weather experts say the anomaly in Moscow and parts of Russia this winter was caused by an atmospheric front from the Atlantic Ocean .
The United States may be using a “ climate weapon ” to cause an unseasonably warm winter in Russia , a lawmaker has claimed in an interview with the Govorit Moskva radio station Tuesday .
“ I ’ m convinced these are not random changes in the climate , ” Alexei Zhuravlyov , a member of Russia ’ s lower house of parliament , the State Duma , told Govorit Moskva .
“ If [ Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be a disaster .
...
The Americans know this and they ’ re testing this weapon , ” the leader of the nationalist Rodina party said , alleging that the U.S. tests are in violation of international bans .
Zhuravlyov , 57 , previously blamed last summer ’ s Siberian forest fires and Moscow storms on U.S. “ climate weapons.
” The theory that the U.S. deploys climate-change weapons against Russia dates back to at least 2010 , when Moscow sweltered under record temperatures that summer .
Back then , a Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ provoke droughts , erase crops and induce various anomalous phenomena in certain countries . ''
Forecasters expect above-average temperatures in Russia this January and February , the RBC news website reported Tuesday .
In addition to an unusually warm winter , with a lack of traditional snow cover in December , Moscow experienced its coldest summer on record in 2019 .
Russia remains a relatively climate-skeptic nation , with recent polls saying that less than half of Russians believe climate change poses a major threat to their country .

Weather experts say the anomaly in Moscow and parts of Russia this winter was caused by an atmospheric front from the Atlantic Ocean.
The United States may be using a “climate weapon” to cause an unseasonably warm winter in Russia, a lawmaker has claimed in an interview with the Govorit Moskva radio station Tuesday.
“I’m convinced these are not random changes in the climate,” Alexei Zhuravlyov, a member of Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, told Govorit Moskva.
“If [Russia's permafrost] melts now, it will be a disaster. ... The Americans know this and they’re testing this weapon,” the leader of the nationalist Rodina party said, alleging that the U.S. tests are in violation of international bans.
Zhuravlyov, 57, previously blamed last summer’s Siberian forest fires and Moscow storms on U.S. “climate weapons.”
The theory that the U.S. deploys climate-change weapons against Russia dates back to at least 2010, when Moscow sweltered under record temperatures that summer. Back then, a Russian political scientist claimed that the alleged weapons “provoke droughts, erase crops and induce various anomalous phenomena in certain countries."
Forecasters expect above-average temperatures in Russia this January and February, the RBC news website reported Tuesday.
In addition to an unusually warm winter, with a lack of traditional snow cover in December, Moscow experienced its coldest summer on record in 2019.
Russia remains a relatively climate-skeptic nation, with recent polls saying that less than half of Russians believe climate change poses a major threat to their country.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-15--Russian Auto Market Stalls

Russian Auto Market Stalls

The Russian car market is braced for a turbulent year ahead , as a leading business association warns sales are likely to drop and more manufacturers could give up on Russia altogether .
Sales of new cars dropped by 2.3 % in 2019 to around 1.76 million units , and will fall by a further 2.1 % in 2020 , the Association of European Businesses ( AEB ) forecast Tuesday .
A hoped-for revitalization in the market in the second half of 2019 , following a hike in VAT which dented sales at the start of the year , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ For the current year , we expect similarly challenging market circumstances , ” it added .
The annual fall came despite a mini-rebound in car sales during December , but head of Mazda in Russia , Joerg Schreiber , who chairs the AEB Automobile Manufacturers ’ Committee , said this was due to seasonal effects .
Confidence in the industry remains “ low , ” Schreiber added , warning “ the situation may not be sustainable for some market participants ” to continue operating in Russia .
American giant Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year .
Sales of Ford cars plunged 57 % in 2019 to 17,700 units .
Lada-maker AvtoVaz remained Russia ’ s largest carmaker and managed to increase sales by 1 % despite the market slowdown .
Sales of the Granta model — Russia ’ s most popular car — jumped 27 % .

American giant Ford shut its doors in Russia mid-way through last year. Sales of Ford cars plunged 57% in 2019 to 17,700 units. Lada-maker AvtoVaz remained Russia’s largest carmaker and managed to increase sales by 1% despite the market slowdown. Sales of the Granta model — Russia’s most popular car — jumped 27%.
Confidence in the industry remains “low,” Schreiber added, warning “the situation may not be sustainable for some market participants” to continue operating in Russia.
The annual fall came despite a mini-rebound in car sales during December, but head of Mazda in Russia, Joerg Schreiber, who chairs the AEB Automobile Manufacturers’ Committee, said this was due to seasonal effects.
A hoped-for revitalization in the market in the second half of 2019, following a hike in VAT which dented sales at the start of the year, “did not materialize,'' the group said. “For the current year, we expect similarly challenging market circumstances,” it added.
Sales of new cars dropped by 2.3% in 2019 to around 1.76 million units, and will fall by a further 2.1% in 2020, the Association of European Businesses (AEB) forecast Tuesday.
The Russian car market is braced for a turbulent year ahead, as a leading business association warns sales are likely to drop and more manufacturers could give up on Russia altogether.
Following AvtoVaz, which controls more than a fifth of the market, the leading brands of car sales in Russia in 2019 were Kia, Renault, Hyundai and Toyota.
The market decline came despite heavy promotional and marketing activity by carmakers, with Schreiber stating that without more active support from the Russian government, there is little more the industry itself can do to boost sales.
In a message to the Russian government, the AEB criticized measures they say are hurting the industry — including protectionist regulations designed to localize the production of cars — and called for more “active government support.”
“The government is introducing non-tariff protections to support local production. But excessive localization makes it economically unfeasible to introduce the latest state-of-the-art technology,” Schreiber said.
AEB chief executive Frank Schauff added: “It is quite possible that regulations become tougher, and will no longer coincide with the interests of some market players. What’s interesting is the way the Russian government thinks about that. It says ‘well, alright then, let them go.’”
“It seems that the automobile industry somehow fell out of the government’s priorities in recent years. But citizens are interested in what kind of car choice they will have in five years, and what kind of car options there will be, or whether we will go back to having simply two or three manufacturers as there used to be.”
Other industry analysts expect the car market could have already reached its nadir, and predict stagnation rather than ongoing decline, in 2020.
“We note that AEB’s forecast for the market in 2020 is more conservative than our view,” said VTB Capital’s Vladimir Bespalov.
“We project that car and light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales will grow in low single digits in 2020 on the back of a fairly neutral macro backdrop, a relatively favorable base effect and government support. Overall, we believe that low consumer confidence remains the key roadblock to any significant acceleration of the car market in Russia,” he added.
Separate data released Tuesday showed that approval rates for car loans dropped from 51% to 44% in 2019, as tighter loan regulations designed to cool the borrowing market started to have an impact.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-15--Russia Rules Out Prisoner Swap With Israel Ahead of Putin’s Visit

Naama Issachar , 27 , was sentenced to seven and a half years for drug smuggling after airport authorities found less than 10 grams of hashish in her bag during her layover in Moscow .
Russia asked Israel in October to swap Issachar for a suspected Russian hacker , whom Israel extradited to the United States in what Moscow saw as a snub .
Russia does not plan to exchange a U.S.-Israeli backpacker jailed on drug charges ahead of President Vladimir Putin ’ s visit to Israel this month , the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday .
“ The exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under consideration , as far as I know , ” Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov was quoted by the state-run TASS news agency as saying .
Putin is expected in Israel to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp on Jan. 27 .
His invitation stirred controversy in Poland , whose president pulled out of the event amid Warsaw ’ s ongoing spat with Putin over the origins of World War II .
Issachar ’ s mother Yaffa Issachar appealed to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to not host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Israel reported earlier this month .
“ It is my intention to come straight from Moscow to the entrance to the president ’ s residence that same evening and block with my body the entrance of the Russian president and his delegation , ” Issachar ’ s mother said .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed “ ceaseless efforts ” to secure Issachar ’ s release in a letter his office published Monday .
“ We do not abandon anyone to their fate and so it is in your case as well @ @ @ @ @

Naama Issachar, 27, was sentenced to seven and a half years for drug smuggling after airport authorities found less than 10 grams of hashish in her bag during her layover in Moscow. Russia asked Israel in October to swap Issachar for a suspected Russian hacker, whom Israel extradited to the United States in what Moscow saw as a snub.
Russia does not plan to exchange a U.S.-Israeli backpacker jailed on drug charges ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Israel this month, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
“The exchange [of Issachar] option is not under consideration, as far as I know,” Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov was quoted by the state-run TASS news agency as saying.
Putin is expected in Israel to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp on Jan. 27. His invitation stirred controversy in Poland, whose president pulled out of the event amid Warsaw’s ongoing spat with Putin over the origins of World War II.
Issachar’s mother Yaffa Issachar appealed to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to not host Putin at his residence, The Times of Israel reported earlier this month. “It is my intention to come straight from Moscow to the entrance to the president’s residence that same evening and block with my body the entrance of the Russian president and his delegation,” Issachar’s mother said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed “ceaseless efforts” to secure Issachar’s release in a letter his office published Monday.
“We do not abandon anyone to their fate and so it is in your case as well,” Netanyahu wrote.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-15--Russia Urges Gulf Nations to Consider a Joint Security Mechanism

`` We have been suggesting to the Gulf countries to think about collective security mechanisms ... starting with confidence-building measures and inviting each other to military exercises , '' Lavrov told a security conference in Delhi .
Russia 's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday Moscow has been urging Gulf countries to consider a common security mechanism for the region and it was time the world got rid of unilateral measures such as sanctions .
Tensions in the Gulf have risen following the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani and a retaliatory missile attack by Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since I mentioned about Persian Gulf , we are very much concerned about what is going on there , '' Lavrov said .
Iran 's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is also attending the conference in Delhi that comes just a day after Britain , France and Germany formally accused Iran of violating the terms of its 2015 agreement to curb its nuclear program , which eventually could lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions .
Iran 's Fars news agency quoted Zarif as saying overnight that the use of the dispute mechanism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lavrov said unilateral sanctions were a problem in today 's world .
`` So the 21st century is the time when we must get rid of any methods of dealing in international relations which smack of colonial and neo-colonial times .
And sanctions , unilaterally imposed sanctions , they are not going to work . ''
After pulling out of the Iran deal , the United States slapped sanctions back on Iran and has gradually increased its `` maximum pressure '' campaign targeting the Islamic Republic 's revenues from oil , mining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boris Johnson called on Tuesday for U.S. President Donald Trump to replace the Iranian nuclear deal with his own new pact to ensure the Islamic Republic does not get an atomic weapon .
Trump said in a tweet he agreed with Johnson for a `` Trump deal . ''
U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger will also be addressing the Delhi meeting on Thursday .

"We have been suggesting to the Gulf countries to think about collective security mechanisms ... starting with confidence-building measures and inviting each other to military exercises," Lavrov told a security conference in Delhi.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday Moscow has been urging Gulf countries to consider a common security mechanism for the region and it was time the world got rid of unilateral measures such as sanctions.
Tensions in the Gulf have risen following the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani and a retaliatory missile attack by Iran on U.S. forces in Iraq.
"Since I mentioned about Persian Gulf, we are very much concerned about what is going on there," Lavrov said.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is also attending the conference in Delhi that comes just a day after Britain, France and Germany formally accused Iran of violating the terms of its 2015 agreement to curb its nuclear program, which eventually could lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions.
Iran's Fars news agency quoted Zarif as saying overnight that the use of the dispute mechanism was legally baseless and a strategic mistake.
Lavrov said unilateral sanctions were a problem in today's world.
"So the 21st century is the time when we must get rid of any methods of dealing in international relations which smack of colonial and neo-colonial times. And sanctions, unilaterally imposed sanctions, they are not going to work."
After pulling out of the Iran deal, the United States slapped sanctions back on Iran and has gradually increased its "maximum pressure" campaign targeting the Islamic Republic's revenues from oil, mining and other industries. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on Tuesday for U.S. President Donald Trump to replace the Iranian nuclear deal with his own new pact to ensure the Islamic Republic does not get an atomic weapon.
Trump said in a tweet he agreed with Johnson for a "Trump deal."
U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger will also be addressing the Delhi meeting on Thursday.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-15--How Putin Was Thrown Off Course by a Furious Libyan General

Khalifa Haftar was expecting the Kremlin red carpet .
Instead he was cooped up in a Russian Foreign Ministry reception building hoping for an audience with Vladimir Putin .
In the end , the Libyan military commander lost patience and stormed out .
Hours later , he left Moscow in his Dassault Falcon corporate jet bound for the Jordanian capital , Amman .
When the Russian president invited Libya ’ s rival leaders to sign a truce on Monday , it would appear he hadn ’ t factored in the legendary stubbornness of the 76-year-old Haftar .
What ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snub Putin is testament to how unpredictable Libya ’ s civil war has become .
The flash of temper , however , is only the latest confounding twist before a planned Libyan peace conference in Berlin on Sunday .
Just last week , an attempt by former colonial power Italy to broker an encounter between Haftar and Fayez al-Sarraj , prime minister of the United Nations-backed Libyan government , ended with the latter canceling last minute and flying home .
Nothing is playing out as planned , or is what it seems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libya , started the latest war in April with an offensive on the capital , Tripoli , to topple Sarraj .
He ’ s now the one throwing up obstacles after his rivals , pressured by their patron Turkey , signed a cease-fire agreement in Moscow .
Haftar said he ’ d sleep on it , but before the entirety of the slight to Putin became apparent , he was already gone .
“ This won ’ t be forgotten by Putin , ” said Kirill Semyonov , a Libya expert at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haftar practically ran away when he was expected to sign the document .
This showed a lack of respect to his hosts and is a blow to Russia ’ s reputation.
” The backdrop to all this is Russia and Turkey ’ s aggressive push into Syria .
Relatively minor actors when the Arab protests erupted a decade ago , Moscow and Ankara are staging a dramatic shift in influence in the region .
With the U.S. and Western Europe retreat , they have become key players in a game of geopolitical chess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and foes .
The prize of a peace deal could also include the revival of billions of dollars in contracts that were abandoned in the chaos after Muammar Qaddafi ’ s overthrow in 2011 .
The setback for the Kremlin came less than a week after Putin moved to take the upper hand in ending the conflict , together with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
Russian officials say they remain cautiously optimistic that Haftar will come back to the table .
The two powers , though , have found themselves stymied by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like Italy , France and other would-be peacemakers .
Western and Arab diplomats who worked on Libya for years said they weren ’ t surprised .
Haftar launched his battle for Tripoli during a visit by the UN secretary general and just before scheduled peace talks .
The question is whether Putin and Erdogan allow him to get away with it .
Haftar started his offensive with the backing of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates , who saw him as irksome ally but the best bet for a strong leader in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It evolved into a proxy war with Russia sending mercenaries to fight for Haftar and Turkey supporting Sarraj ’ s Tripoli-based government .
It would only be a matter of time before Putin and Erdogan made a deal to carve out their interests — much as they ’ ve done in Syria — then strong-arm their clients into a truce , a Russian official told Bloomberg early last year .
That moment came on Jan. 8 .
After Turkey threatened to step up its backing for Tripoli with a major military deployment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for a ceasefire 72 hours later .
Neither side had bothered beforehand to consult the Libyans , Egypt , the U.A.E , or UN , which had been working on a ceasefire since April , officials familiar with the talks told Bloomberg .
A senior official in the Tripoli-based government hastily boarded a flight to Istanbul to try and understand what had just happened , two officials said .
Putin then reached out to the leaders of Egypt and the U.A.E , which backs Haftar with its airpower , by phone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the deal , which they believed gave Turkey too many concessions , an official said .
A Turkish official with knowledge of the Moscow meeting said a ceasefire could enable Turkey and Russia to cooperate in the exploration of oil and gas .
It would also protect a maritime agreement Turkey extracted from the Tripoli-based government in return for military assistance , the person said .
That deal is disputed by Greece and other European countries who fear Turkish and Russian encroachment into Mediterranean waters .
In all of this , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia in yet another Middle East conflict .
Washington had been sending mixed messages to both sides until hundreds of Russian mercenaries arrived in September to the frontlines to support Haftar .
Weeks later they or Libyans manning a missile defense system shot down a U.S drone , whose wreckage has yet to be retrieved .
The U.S. then began pushing Haftar for a cease-fire and hoping for a peace deal that would squeeze out Russia , several officials with knowledge of their meetings told Bloomberg .
That Haftar balked in Moscow was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian mission to enforce the truce and a clause in the document that might require him to pull back from areas he controls on the outskirts of Tripoli , a person in Moscow with knowledge of the talks said .
Russia overestimated its ability to influence the Libyan military leader , the person said .
Erdogan , who has obtained parliamentary approval for a large-scale military intervention , responded to Haftar ’ s walk-out by threatening to teach him a “ lesson.
” One Turkish official wasn ’ t ruling out the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Russian Defense Ministry , meanwhile , isn ’ t giving up just yet .
It said Haftar needs more time and suggested it expected him to respond positively ahead of the peace summit scheduled in Berlin , where even more surprises could await .

Khalifa Haftar was expecting the Kremlin red carpet. Instead he was cooped up in a Russian Foreign Ministry reception building hoping for an audience with Vladimir Putin. In the end, the Libyan military commander lost patience and stormed out. Hours later, he left Moscow in his Dassault Falcon corporate jet bound for the Jordanian capital, Amman. When the Russian president invited Libya’s rival leaders to sign a truce on Monday, it would appear he hadn’t factored in the legendary stubbornness of the 76-year-old Haftar. What’s more, that he felt emboldened to snub Putin is testament to how unpredictable Libya’s civil war has become. The flash of temper, however, is only the latest confounding twist before a planned Libyan peace conference in Berlin on Sunday. Just last week, an attempt by former colonial power Italy to broker an encounter between Haftar and Fayez al-Sarraj, prime minister of the United Nations-backed Libyan government, ended with the latter canceling last minute and flying home. Nothing is playing out as planned, or is what it seems.
news Libya Peace Talks in Moscow Fall Short of Ceasefire Read more
Haftar, who is based in eastern Libya, started the latest war in April with an offensive on the capital, Tripoli, to topple Sarraj. He’s now the one throwing up obstacles after his rivals, pressured by their patron Turkey, signed a cease-fire agreement in Moscow. Haftar said he’d sleep on it, but before the entirety of the slight to Putin became apparent, he was already gone. “This won’t be forgotten by Putin,” said Kirill Semyonov, a Libya expert at the Kremlin-founded Russian International Affairs Council. “Haftar practically ran away when he was expected to sign the document. This showed a lack of respect to his hosts and is a blow to Russia’s reputation.” The backdrop to all this is Russia and Turkey’s aggressive push into Syria. Relatively minor actors when the Arab protests erupted a decade ago, Moscow and Ankara are staging a dramatic shift in influence in the region. With the U.S. and Western Europe retreat, they have become key players in a game of geopolitical chess in which they are by turns allies and foes. The prize of a peace deal could also include the revival of billions of dollars in contracts that were abandoned in the chaos after Muammar Qaddafi’s overthrow in 2011. The setback for the Kremlin came less than a week after Putin moved to take the upper hand in ending the conflict, together with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Russian officials say they remain cautiously optimistic that Haftar will come back to the table. The two powers, though, have found themselves stymied by the myriad conflicting interests in Libya, just like Italy, France and other would-be peacemakers. Not surprising Western and Arab diplomats who worked on Libya for years said they weren’t surprised. Haftar launched his battle for Tripoli during a visit by the UN secretary general and just before scheduled peace talks. The question is whether Putin and Erdogan allow him to get away with it. Haftar started his offensive with the backing of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, who saw him as irksome ally but the best bet for a strong leader in the tumultuous North African oil state. It evolved into a proxy war with Russia sending mercenaries to fight for Haftar and Turkey supporting Sarraj’s Tripoli-based government.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-15--Will Putin Stay Or Will He Go? Bombshell Address and Shock Medvedev Resignation Offer Big Hint

For over an hour , President Vladimir Putin ’ s annual state-of-the-nation speech on Wednesday sounded just like those that had come before it .
As in previous years , Putin proposed measures for encouraging Russians to have more children , tackling poverty levels and stimulating economic growth .
And , not for the first time , Prime Minister Dmitry Medevev had trouble staying awake .
Soon , however , he would be jolted upright .
Near the end of the 80-minute address , Putin began outlining a raft of proposed changes to the country ’ s Constitution .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the speech , Medvedev sent additional shockwaves through Russia ’ s political elite with an announcement on live television that he and his entire government would be resigning .
With Putin in the midst of a second consecutive presidential term that will come to an end in 2024 , speculation has been swirling over whether he will attempt to extend his stay in power and how , given that the current Constitution limits presidents to two consecutive terms .
That speculation has now reached fever pitch , with observers wondering whether the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successor .
Putin himself was named prime minister by then-president Boris Yeltsin in 1999 before taking his place the following year .
One of the options floated in Moscow in recent months was that Putin would propose to change the Constitution so that a president could serve for a third consecutive term .
But the Russian leader , who has been in power for the past two decades , appeared to negate that possibility on Wednesday .
“ I don ’ t consider [ the two consecutive term limit ] a matter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said in the address .
However , that doesn ’ t mean Putin will leave power in 2024 .
Outlining proposals that would strengthen parliament and other government bodies while reducing the powers of the presidency , Putin appeared to be keep various doors open for what position he may take on after leaving the Kremlin , analysts said .
“ He gave himself much more room to maneuver , ” said political consultant Yevgeny Minchenko .
Notable among Putin ’ s proposals were that he wants the State Duma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power to confirm the candidacy of the prime minister and the prime minister ’ s cabinet .
“ The president would be obliged to appoint [ the confirmed picks ] , ” Putin said .
“ He would not be allowed to reject candidates confirmed by parliament.
” He also proposed that regional governors should be more closely aligned with the federal government , and he suggested making the State Council — an advisory body to the president that he established when he was first elected in 2000 — an official governing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , according to a count by the Meduza news outlet — could be put to a vote through a referendum , Putin suggested .
“ All of these changes are aimed at reigning in his successor , ” said Tatiana Stanovaya , a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Moscow Center .
After Medvedev ’ s announcement early Wednesday evening — which came as such a shock to all that not even those laid off knew about it till just prior , one sitting minister told The Bell news outlet — all eyes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replacement might be .
“ It could be his successor or it could just be someone who allows Putin to buy himself time .
We have to wait and see who it is , ” Stanovaya said .
“ But for these constitutional changes to be made , Putin needs support .
And Medvedev had become too toxic , ” she added , referring to the prime minister ’ s low trust ratings .
Medvedev himself noted that “ the balance of power ” will change following the amendments to the Constitution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as saying .
“ In this context , it is obvious that we , as the government , should provide the president of our country with the ability to make all necessary decisions for this , ” he said .

For over an hour, President Vladimir Putin’s annual state-of-the-nation speech on Wednesday sounded just like those that had come before it. As in previous years, Putin proposed measures for encouraging Russians to have more children, tackling poverty levels and stimulating economic growth. And, not for the first time, Prime Minister Dmitry Medevev had trouble staying awake. Soon, however, he would be jolted upright. Near the end of the 80-minute address, Putin began outlining a raft of proposed changes to the country’s Constitution. Then, three hours after the conclusion of the speech, Medvedev sent additional shockwaves through Russia’s political elite with an announcement on live television that he and his entire government would be resigning. With Putin in the midst of a second consecutive presidential term that will come to an end in 2024, speculation has been swirling over whether he will attempt to extend his stay in power and how, given that the current Constitution limits presidents to two consecutive terms. That speculation has now reached fever pitch, with observers wondering whether the next prime minister will be Putin’s successor. Putin himself was named prime minister by then-president Boris Yeltsin in 1999 before taking his place the following year.
One of the options floated in Moscow in recent months was that Putin would propose to change the Constitution so that a president could serve for a third consecutive term. But the Russian leader, who has been in power for the past two decades, appeared to negate that possibility on Wednesday. “I don’t consider [the two consecutive term limit] a matter of principle, but I agree with it,” he said in the address. However, that doesn’t mean Putin will leave power in 2024. Outlining proposals that would strengthen parliament and other government bodies while reducing the powers of the presidency, Putin appeared to be keep various doors open for what position he may take on after leaving the Kremlin, analysts said. “He gave himself much more room to maneuver,” said political consultant Yevgeny Minchenko. Notable among Putin’s proposals were that he wants the State Duma, the lower house, to have the power to confirm the candidacy of the prime minister and the prime minister’s cabinet. “The president would be obliged to appoint [the confirmed picks],” Putin said. “He would not be allowed to reject candidates confirmed by parliament.”
He also proposed that regional governors should be more closely aligned with the federal government, and he suggested making the State Council — an advisory body to the president that he established when he was first elected in 2000 — an official governing body. The amendments — 11 in all, according to a count by the Meduza news outlet — could be put to a vote through a referendum, Putin suggested. “All of these changes are aimed at reigning in his successor,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Moscow Center. After Medvedev’s announcement early Wednesday evening — which came as such a shock to all that not even those laid off knew about it till just prior, one sitting minister told The Bell news outlet — all eyes are on who Putin’s anointed replacement might be. “It could be his successor or it could just be someone who allows Putin to buy himself time. We have to wait and see who it is,” Stanovaya said. “But for these constitutional changes to be made, Putin needs support. And Medvedev had become too toxic,” she added, referring to the prime minister’s low trust ratings. Medvedev himself noted that “the balance of power” will change following the amendments to the Constitution, the state-run TASS news agency quoted him as saying. “In this context, it is obvious that we, as the government, should provide the president of our country with the ability to make all necessary decisions for this,” he said.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-15--Putin Puts Forward Little-Known Tax Chief as New Russian PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday formally put forward Mikhail Mishustin , the little-known head of Russia 's Federal Tax @ @ @ @ @ 's new prime minister , the Kremlin said .
Putin submitted his candidacy to the @ @ @ @ @ Mishustin agreed to be put forward for the role , the Kremlin said .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin proposed sweeping constitutional changes that could allow him to @ @ @ @ @ 's lower house of parliament said it would decide on whether to approve Mishustin as @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , the state-run RIA news agency reported .

The Kremlin-dominated lower house of parliament, which rarely opposes Putin on important issues, is due to decide whether to approve Mishustin on Thursday.
Mikhail Mishustin, President Vladimir Putin's surprise choice to become Russia's prime minister, is a tax chief with almost no political profile who analysts say could be a "technocratic placeholder."
Mishustin, 53, has been the head of the Federal Tax Service since 2010 and has worked in government roles related to tax collection since the early days of his career.
He has won praise for improving tax collection processes and more than doubling tax revenues in the past decade, with 20.4 trillion rubles ($331.92 billion) collected in the first 11 months of last year.
The majority of those revenues still come from taxes on the vast energy sector but an increasing share now comes from other forms of taxation after an efficiency drive.
Despite these successes, Mishustin's name had not appeared in many lists of potential candidates for the post.
"Mishustin does not have any political experience or popularity with the electorate, and is not part of Putin's inner circle," Tatiana Stanovaya, nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Moscow Center, wrote on social media.
She said Mishustin would be unlikely to run in the presidential election due when Putin's fourth term ends in 2024, adding: "(It) seems highly likely that Mishustin is just a technocratic placeholder."
Russia has had technocrats as prime minister before, including when Putin was cementing his grip on power after 2000.
"(Mishustin) looks a lot like the technocratic premiers... of the early 2000s," Stanovaya said.
Ice hockey and engineering
Dmitry Medvedev, a Putin ally, stepped down as prime minister on Wednesday, making way for constitutional changes which would give Putin scope to extend his hold on power after leaving the presidency. Putin also suggested diminishing the powers of the presidency and beefing up those of the prime minister.
Like Putin, Mishustin enjoys ice hockey and is on the boards of CSKA Moscow ice hockey club and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.
An engineer by training, Mishustin joined the government tax service in 1998 and spent five years as a deputy tax minister from 1999 to 2004.
Market participants credit a background in the tech sector for his success in bringing taxation in Russia into the digital age. Payments for both individuals and businesses have become simpler and a predominantly online process.
Digitalization has also led to a drop in tax evasion and a reduced role for the shadow economy, with many small and medium enterprises beginning to pay taxes.
Mishustin told the Vedomosti business daily in 2018 he did not see a return to the private sector.
"But if destiny chooses a different path for me, I would work in innovations, with new technologies, in the same field as I have always worked: transformation, related to the digital economy," he said.