Word: putin
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...week to cut off Ukraine's supplies of natural gas in order to secure agreement for a big gas-price hike may have been a little too tough. The dispute was rapidly resolved. But the shocked reaction in Europe and the U.S. casts a cloud over Russian President Vladimir Putin just as he takes over chairmanship of the G-8 association of industrialized nations, and it will probably accelerate Western efforts to reduce dependence on Russian gas and oil. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice publicly accused Russia of behaving irresponsibly. And in the European Union, the biggest export market...
...Vladimir Putin was already going to have a hard time making the case that Russia is worthy of the leadership of the G-8, which it will take for the first time this year. But no one will be giving him the benefit of the doubt after the dramatic resignation of his economic adviser, the outspoken liberal reformer Andrei Illarionov, 44. The economist, a Kremlin maverick, fought to curb state interference in the economy, particularly in the energy sector. But with Moscow tightening its grip on oil and natural gas, Illarionov was recently stripped of a key post with...
...Always a maverick, he had called for a sharp devaluation of the Russian ruble before the August 1998 financial meltdown. Illarionov is also credited with playing an important role in making the 13 percent flat income tax a reality. From the outset of Putin?s presidency, Illarionov struggled to curb state interference in the economy and oppose the monopolist economic policies of natural gas, electricity and railway corporations...
...Illarionov?s recent criticism of Putin had put him in the cross hairs, and he was being eased out of office. He was stripped of his crucial job as Russia's envoy to the G-8, and his Kremlin staff had been gradually reduced. But it was Illarionov who took the final step to resign this week. In a lengthy interview with TIME, Illarionov sat down to discuss his decision to leave office, the tense situation in Ukraine and his harsh criticism of the current administration...
...TIME: Did you discuss the reasons for your resignation with President Putin? When did you see him last...