Vladimir putin

The accompanying, enforced resignation of the entire government, including the prime minister, Dmitri Medvedev, is Putin’s attempt to reset his administration before Duma elections next year. Analysts say he feared Medvedev’s unpopularity – he has been accused of corruption – was beginning to rub off on him. … [Read more...] about Putin, a criminal and incompetent president, is an enemy of his own people

Rallying these friends and partners into a cohesive alliance capable of facing down Putin, and forcing a step change in his behaviour, is a tall order for May. And now, uniquely, it is all the more problematic because of Brexit. To suggest that bad feeling over Britain’s unamicable departure will have no impact on future EU cooperation in such cases is delusional. Naturally, everybody agrees what happened in Salisbury is an outrage. But actually doing something practical to help out the Brexiting Brits, especially if it harms national interests, is another matter entirely. … [Read more...] about May can’t rely on Trump and Europe against Russia – and Putin knows it

In the clearest to date indication of his own political future, Mr Putin on Wednesday suggested cutting the powers of the Russian president in favour of parliament and giving a boost to the Constitutional Court and the State Council, an opaque body currently without a legal status. This was viewed by many as a confirmation that Mr Putin is looking for a new role in the system of power. … [Read more...] about Putin’s party ‘considering’ early elections as confusion reigns over sweeping succession plans

One of the suspected agents, tipped as a “human intelligence source” by Dutch investigators, had registered five vehicles at a north-western Moscow address better known as the Aquarium, the GRU finishing school for military attaches and elite spies. According to online listings, which are not official but are publicly available to anyone on Google, he drove a Honda Civic, then moved on to an Alfa Romeo. In case the address did not tip investigators off, he also listed the base number of the Military-Diplomatic Academy. … [Read more...] about String of own goals by Russian spies exposes a strange sloppiness

Igor Korobov, the head of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency, has died after a serious and long illness, Moscow’s defence ministry has announced, as a deputy twice sanctioned by the US over interference in the 2016 presidential election was put in place as acting head. … [Read more...] about Russia’s chief of military intelligence, Igor Korobov, dies after illness