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Russia meets only one criterion for membership of the Group of Eight of the leading industrialised democracies: the size of its economy. In terms of political rights, Russia ranks 168th [...]

RUSSIA today is not the same country it was only six years ago, when Vladimir Putin became president. Back then, the country was unsettled, tumultuous and impoverished, but it was […]

Next year the Kyoto protocol will be an international treaty. For those who heavily lobbied Russia to ratify it, this is cause for celebration. But for most of the world, [...]

From Dr Andrei Illarionov. Sir, It was with mixed feelings that I read Stefan Wagstyl and Arkady Ostrovsky's articles concerning my interview, 'Putin aide warns of dangers to economy' and [...]

The Chechen war has killed thousands of civilians and servicemen and rendered countless people homeless. According to Russian government estimates, the expenses incurred in the war amount to 8 trillion rubles. Three contracts totalling $753 million for restoration work in Grozny were cancelled when the firms started losing their men. The delay in Russia's admission to the Council of Europe following the Chechen war has cost Russia $1.5 billion dollars. The Chechen war has spoiled chances of stabilization and an indifference to human life is taking root in Russian society.

Analysts feel that Russia should grant independence to Chechnya as it has no legal or strategic compulsions to enforce its authority on the region. Chechens have been fighting Russian hegemony from the 18th century and the region has been a part of Russia only for 132 years. The region is not of any economic or geographic importance to Russia. The homogeneous nature of Chechnya, its lawful election of Dudayev and the regions' legal system vouch for the sovereignty of the region.

The policies of the Central Bank of Russia is designed to increase inflation and undermine the economic policy of the government. The Central Bank seeks a new extension of credit to ward off a payments crisis that is more imagined than real. The proposals, if accepted, will bring financial instability and increase inflation, forcing the government to withdraw its commitment regarding the strengthening of the economy.

The article presents a tribute to former president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin.