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Russia’s New Government, May Decrees 2.0, Roizman’s Resignation

Russian media roundup, May 19-25, 2018

Details: 25 May 2018

One of the key discussions in Russia this week concerned the new Cabinet that officially started working on May 18. Despite many familiar faces, there are still new signals for the experts to decipher. Another discussion focused on the meaning of Putin’s ambitious May decrees and whether they could be implemented at all. Finally, the situation surrounding the resignation of Yekaterinburg mayor Yevgeny Roizman composed the third significant element of the political discourse this week.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Kudrin Factor, Putin’s Counter-Sanctions, Ruble vs. Oil

Russian media roundup, May 12-18, 2018

Details: 18 May 2018

While the Russian state media relished Vladimir Putin’s photo-ops at the opening of the Crimea bridge, other developments were less hyped but more consequential to the country this week. First, Dmitry Medvedev’s Cabinet was approved, with most positions filled with the same people. Second, the Duma steamrolled the passage of the counter-sanctions bill to target not just the U.S. but also Russian citizens. Third, the recent oil prices fluctuations revealed a weaker correlation with the ruble exchange rate.

Details: Media Must-Reads

May 5 Protest, New Cabinet, Monopoly on History

Russian media roundup, May 4-11, 2018

Details: 11 May 2018

This week has seen three crucial developments that highlighted long-term trends in Russian politics. On May 5, anti-Putin protests took place across the country, resulting in 1600 detainees. On May 7, Putin was inaugurated for his fourth term as Russia’s president and immediately reappointed Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister, thus ending weeks of speculation regarding a possible liberal shift. On May 9, Russia celebrated Victory Day, but it seems that after the holiday was highly politicized, it eventually started to lose its appeal.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Telegram Paradox, More of the Same Putin, Duma’s Counter-Sanctions

Russian media roundup, April 27 – May 4, 2018

Details: 04 May 2018

Several stories took center stage in Russian politics this week. Roskomnadzor is trying to reinforce the Telegram ban across the country while many Russians push back against the restrictions on Internet freedom. With Putin’s inauguration to be held on May 7, experts continue the discussion of his fourth term. After the Duma introduced a new counter-sanctions bill and thus seized the initiative in Russia’s foreign policy development, the feuds inside the elites have intensified.

Details: Media Must-Reads

New Reality, After Syria, Telegram Ban

Russian media roundup, April 13-19, 2018

Details: 19 April 2018

In this week’s roundup: the Telegram ban was likely the most discussed development in the liberal corner of the Russian internet, while the rest of the political discussions focused mainly on the aftermath of the Syria strikes and the Kremlin’s plans to counter the latest round of U.S. sanctions.

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