Putin Intelligencer 2008 November 12

Energy Policy
Putin has said he thinks Russia, a major oil exporter should develop strategies to manage oil prices. This could include cooperation with other oil producing nations, though Russia has traditionally been cool toward OPEC and is likely to want retain control of its production levels. He has begun to meet with heads of Russian oil companies (Putin says Russia should act; Putin urges greater Russian role; Russia must develop).

Financial Crisis
Putin says Russia has the cash reserves to weather the global financial crisis and continue its development. He claims they were not caught unawares as other nations were. He apparently did not share this wisdom with Russia’s oligarchs, who have taken heavy losses, at least on paper (Halpin; Shchedrov; Weir).

The oligarchs are not faring to badly under the bailout plan. One has received financing for his companies above the level set by rules for the program, though the deal isn’t finalized. The aluminum company is owned by a one-time allie of Putin, Oleg Deripaska, but President Medvedev has questioned the deal. The bailout may lead to the nationalization of some companies presently in the hands of oligarchs (Wall).

Foreign Affairs: China, Cuba, India
Putin and other Russian officials met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao over the last few day of October (Chinese Premier).

Putin met with Indian Petroleum Minister Murli Deora to discuss energy cooperation in advance of a summit between Russia and India scheduled for next month (Deora to talk with Putin). Putin also recently met with Cuban Foreign Minister Filipe Perez Roque (Putin receives Cuban FM).

Unusual
Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov recently renamed the main street of the province’s capital, Grozny, Putin Avenue. Putin apparently does not encourage street names, statues and similar honors for himself (Bloomfield; No more streets in my name).

Putins beefcake photos have garnered him some possibly unwanted attention. Openly gay Italian TV host, Alfoso Signorini, has declared the Russian prime minister to be one of the sexiest men (Italian TV star).

Sources
Bloomfield, A. (2008 Oct. 6). Chechen capital's main street renamed Putin Avenue after man who bombarded the city. Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/3147078/Chechen-capitals-main-street-renamed-Putin-Avenue-after-man-who-bombarded-the-city.html, accessed 2008 Oct. 7.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrives in Moscow. (2008 Oct. 27). China View. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/27/content_10262686.htm, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.

Deora to talk with Putin. (2008 Nov. 3). Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Deora_to_talk_energy_with_Putin/articleshow/3669000.cms, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.

Halpin, T. (2008 Oct. 20). Russia is well prepared to survive financial crisis says Putin. Times. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/russia/article4981200.ece, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.

Italian TV star has gay crush on Vladimir Putin. (2008 Oct. 20). Gawker. http://gawker.com/5066016/italian-tv-star-has-gay-crush-on-vladimir-putin, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.

No more street in my name, pleads Russia’s Putin. (2008 Oct. 6). Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE4955KV20081006, accessed 2008 Oct. 7.

Putin receives Cuban FM. (2008 Nov. 10). Prensa Latina. http://www.plenglish.com/Article.asp?ID=%7B6363AA3E-7E2E-42C8-A50A-6E99E6E59C45%7D&language=EN, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.

Putin says Russia should act to influence oil prices. (2008 Nov. 11). AFP. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hSQVeceh8JWPShe0-WZ6Oe1ZbamQ, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.

Putin urges greater Russian role in oil prices. (2008 Nov. 11). Associate Press. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hbwFTPWY5qEIHE37E65bYT576kzwD94C872O0, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.

Shchedrov, O. (2008 Oct. 20). Russia ready to withstand global crisis-Putin. Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/forexNews/idUSLK56756620081020, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.

Russian must develop ways to influence world oil prices—Putin. (2008 Nov. 11). RIA Novosti. http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081110/118230972.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.

Wall, T. (2008 Nov. 2). Oleg Deripaska receives state bailout almost twice the size allowed in Russia. Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/3368710/Oleg-Deripaska-receives-state-bailout-almost-twice-the-size-allowed-in-Russia.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.

Weir, F. (2008 Oct. 21). Crisis spares Russia’s “average Joe.” Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1021/p06s02-wogn.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.