Analysis - Institute of Modern Russia

Latest Articles

Political Schizophrenia or Existential Crisis?

Details: Politics

Political Schizophrenia or Existential Crisis?

Details: 24 May 2017; Olga Khvostunova

At his last week’s press conference Vladimir Putin claimed that “political schizophrenia” has been developing in the U.S. These words were said in response to the question regarding the Washington Post’s breaking story that at an Oval Office meeting with Russian diplomats Donald Trump passed to them certain classified information on ISIS. Is it possible that given the current developments inside Russia itself, Vladimir Putin made a Freudian slip? IMR’s Olga Khvostunova weighs in.

Sergey Aleksashenko: “The Kremlin's Economic Policy Has Produced No Growth Whatsoever”

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: “The Kremlin's Economic Policy Has Produced No Growth Whatsoever”

Details: 03 May 2017; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary about the recent events in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, confirms that the fall in the Russian economy is over, but there is no growth to talk about.

Sergey Aleksashenko: “The Bank of Russia Is Going to Implement a Moderately Austere Policy over the Next Two to Three Years”

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: “The Bank of Russia Is Going to Implement a Moderately Austere Policy over the Next Two to Three Years”

Details: 13 April 2017; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary about the recent events in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksasheko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, notes that the Bank of Russia’s decision to raise the key rate will have no effect on the economy. Rosstat’s new methodology, which unexpectedly bolstered last year’s Russian economic indicators, also raises questions in his mind.

Sergey Aleksashenko: “There Is No Raw Materials Dependency”

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: “There Is No Raw Materials Dependency”

Details: 23 March 2017; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary about recent developments in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, weighs on the recent data released by Rosstat, noting signs of the economy finally “bottoming out” and wondering at the Bank of Russia’s stubborn policy of keeping the key rate intact.

Sergey Aleksashenko: “Rosstat Is Trying to Create the Illusion of Growth”

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: “Rosstat Is Trying to Create the Illusion of Growth”

Details: 23 February 2017; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary about recent developments in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, notes that Federal State Statistics Service new data creates more confusion about the state of the economy and argues that the Central Bank’s recent decision to keep the key rate unchanged may further damage the economy’s chances for growth.

Sergey Aleksashenko: “The Budget Is Caught in a Vicious Circle”

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: “The Budget Is Caught in a Vicious Circle”

Details: 09 February 2017; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary about recent developments in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, analyzes the reasons for the strengthening of the ruble, expresses cautious optimism concerning the automotive market, shows skepticism concerning the mortgage market, and once more notes the inconsistency of the actions of the Finance Ministry and the Russian Central Bank.

Sergey Aleksashenko: “The Worst Is Yet to Come for Russia’s Economy”

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: “The Worst Is Yet to Come for Russia’s Economy”

Details: 23 December 2016; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary about recent events in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, analyzes available Rosstat data for 2016 and concludes that, with the exception of a few industries (agriculture, fishery, extractive sector, electricity), the economy continues to decline.

Sergey Aleksashenko: “Everything Looks Exactly Like It's Supposed to during a Recession”

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: “Everything Looks Exactly Like It's Supposed to during a Recession”

Details: 02 December 2016; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary about recent events in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, analyzes the statistics for the third quarter and notes a slight upswing in the economy. However, the positive trend may be unstable, so it’s too soon to start talking about the end of the recession.

The Case of Ildar Dadin: Restoration of Bolshevik-Style Law?

Details: Law

The Case of Ildar Dadin: Restoration of Bolshevik-Style Law?

Details: 29 November 2016; Ekaterina Mishina

The case of Ildar Dadin, the first Russian citizen convicted under Article 212.1 of the Russian Criminal Code for repeated violations of the established rules of holding mass events, has been recently attracting widespread attention of the media and human rights activists. In a letter sent to his wife, Ildar Dadin revealed that since his arrival at the prison colony in Segezha he has been subjected to beatings and torture at the hands of prison staff. IMR legal expert Ekaterina Mishina analyzes Ildar Dadin’s case and notes that it will eventually become one of the most striking textbook examples of the restoration of Bolshevik-style criminal law in post-Soviet Russia.

Sergey Aleksashenko: “I’d Like to Believe the Worst Is Over for the Russian People”

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: “I’d Like to Believe the Worst Is Over for the Russian People”

Details: 18 November 2016; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary about recent events in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, analyzes the recent data on the Russian economy and notes that despite the general decline, the basic industries and defense sector are, in fact, showing positive dynamics. At the same time, the government supported the Finance Ministry’s proposal to freeze budget expenditures for the next 18 years, a move that will essentially scrap all the budget policies implemented by President Putin in the past.

Our newsletter delivers a digest of analytical articles and op-eds published on our website, along with the latest updates on the IMR activities on a monthly basis.