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When Putin Meets Trump, World Cup Results, Russia in Trade War

Russian media roundup, July 7-13, 2018

Details: 13 July 2018

As the World Cup winds down in Russia, experts are trying to capture its political and social meaning for the country and the regime. Discussions about the highly anticipated Putin-Trump summit are also taking central stage, but expectations are rather low. In the meantime, as the U.S. started the trade war with China last week, the Russian government decided not to stay on the sidelines and raised duties on certain U.S. imports by 25-40 percent.

Details: Opinions

Andrei Kozyrev: “Democracy Needs to be Fought for Every Day”

Details: 14 July 2018; Olga Khvostunova

The Kremlin’s foreign policy post-2014 has constantly challenged the existing international order. Many experts believe that this foreign policy originates in Vladimir Putin’s anti-Western views. However, according to Russia’s former Foreign Minister, Andrei Kozyrev, the causes of Russian aggression are due to a consensus amongst the conservative elite which emerged as early as the mid-1990s. Kozyrev discussed these and other factors which determine Russia’s current foreign policy with IMR’s Olga Khvostunova.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin-Trump Summit, Unpopular Pension Reform, Moscow Election Filters

Russian media roundup, June 30 –July 6, 2018

Details: 05 July 2018

As the highly anticipated Putin-Trump summit nears, pundits are discussing the main challenges of the meeting and potential outcomes for the U.S-Russia relationship. On the domestic front, as negative opinions about the pension reform persist, the Kremlin prepares to respond. One of the key political developments in the capital was the announcement of the list of candidates who will run for the Mayor’s and the Moscow Region Governor’s offices in the September elections. No member of the liberal opposition passed the electoral filter.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Pension Reform Protests, Envoys Update, Oil Consensus

Russian media roundup, June 23-29, 2018

Details: 29 June 2018

Pension reform continues to concern Russian people and experts the most, with about 90 percent of Russians disapproving and Vladimir Putin’s rating falling to its pre-Crimea level. Another development is the update of the presidential envoys system, which experts see as a devaluation of this bureaucratic institute. Finally, with OPEC-plus agreeing to increase oil production, Russia may rip some significant benefits from the new deal.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Pension Reform, Putin-Trump Summit, After 2024

Russian media roundup, June 16-22, 2018

Details: 22 June 2018

This week, Russian people learned that the imminent pension reform—one of the most sensitive but necessary social reforms in the country—is finally upon them. Two other important stories to watch: preparations for the summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, which may take place in July in Vienna, and the potential elevation of the role of the State Council as Putin’s power platform for the post-2024 period.

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