Russia May Stop US Interceptor Missiles

WASHINGTON: Any deal with the United States to put interceptor missiles in Poland must also make Warsaw - which faces an unhappy Russia to its east - more secure, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on Thursday.

Either the United States must help convince Russia that the proposed defensive missile shield does not pose a threat to Moscow, or find "some other way" to address the extra risk to Poland from the project, Sikorski said in a speech during a visit to Washington.

"As many of you know, Poland has come under political pressure, and has even been blackmailed by some of our neighbours, who fiercely oppose this project," Sikorski said at the American Enterprise Institute think-tank.

"Our aim is to contribute to the security of the United States, to NATO, but also to make Warsaw more secure," he said.

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With Russia helping Iran set up their new nuclear plant, installing missile interceptors is a necessity. If Russia refuses could this be a sign that something is up? From this article we learn about some of Russia's diplomatic interactions. The interactions of countries with other countries is a key factor of comparative politics.

The World Waits in Terror

Iran has received its final shipment of uranium from Russia, according to Iranian state news.

The receipt of the final five tons of enriched uranium, received on Monday morning, marks an important step in the process of bringing the Bushehr nuclear reactor on line.

“With the arrival of the final shipment, all 82 tons of initial fuel needed for the power plant, together with peripheral equipment, has been shipped from Russia to Iran,” the news agency said.

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Russia is now helping support Iran's nuclear plant. This may be Iran's way of building new nuclear weapons. All that the world can do is wait to see what the future unfolds. From this we learn about Russia's alliance with Iran. We also learn more about the possiblilty of nuclear terrorism.

Vladimir Putin May Become Dmitry Medvedev’s Successor at Gazprom

"Many observers say that there will not be a major confrontation held during the presidential election in Russia on March 2. First Vice Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will most likely replace Vladimir Putin on the top state position. Putin in his turn will chair the government.

However, it is still unclear who will chair the Board of Directors of Russia’s natural gas giant Gazprom. It is Dmitry Medvedev who takes the position at the moment. If he becomes Russia’s next president he will not be able to stay at Gazprom. It is worthy of note that Gazprom’s administration will have to approve the new list of candidates to its Board of Directors on February 4. The annual meeting of Gazprom’s shareholders is slated to take place on June 27.

Gazprom’s Board of Directors consists of ten people. Four of them represent the state structures, four others are from Gazprom itself, and the remaining two act as independent economists. The list of candidates is longer this year, spokespeople for the gas monopoly said. It counts 42 names as opposed to 26 in 2007.

Like it was mentioned above, Dmitry Medvedev will not be able to combine two positions of the president and the chairman of the Board of Directors of Gazprom. However, Vladimir Putin will have a full right for this, experts say.

It is not ruled out that Vladimir Putin may thus become Dmitry Medvedev’s successor at Gazprom. "

Gazprom is the largest Russian company. Gazprom is the biggest extractor of natural gas in the world With sales of US$31 billion in 2004. It accounts for about 93 percent of Russian natural gas production; with reserves of 28,800 km3, it controls 16 percent of the world's gas reserves (as of 2004, including the Shtokman field.) After acquisition of the oil company Sibneft, Gazprom, with 119 billion barrels of reserves, ranks behind only Saudi Arabia, with 263 billion barrels, and Iran, with 133 billion barrels, as the world's biggest owner of oil and oil equivalent in natural gas.

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This is important because it gives further insight into how powerful Putin is and can be. Not only will he still be in control of the government if Medvedev is elected, but he could also have control of a large oil company with billions at his disposal.

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Have Any Questions?

Mr. Mayfield informed us that we might have teachers or students looking at our blogs as examples. If you have any questions to ask the students blogging, feel free to leave a comment and we will try to answer it as soon as possible.

Medvedev Insists on Rule of Law

"The firm favourite to win Russia's presidential election, Dmitry Medvedev, says the state should train employees better to consolidate the rule of law.

Mr Medvedev, a first deputy prime minister, told lawyers it was "necessary to give state employees more thorough and better legal training".

President Vladimir Putin has named Mr Medvedev as his preferred successor. The election will be held on 2 March.

Mr Medvedev has refused to take part in live TV debates with rival candidates.
The BBC's Russia analyst Steven Eke says a powerful public relations machine has been set in motion to groom Mr Medvedev as the nation's next leader. He is also chairman of the state energy giant Gazprom."

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The rest of the article describes Medvedev's political platform. His speeches and goals "echo" that of Putin. Medvedev has basically assumed that he will be the future president of Russia and so have many of the voters. This article highlights the similarities between Putin and Medvedev and show that he will be a puppet of Putin when he is elected.

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The New Generation

Nashi describe themselves as a "democratic, anti-fascist, youth movement".

The name is the Russian word for "ours". It has the ring of "our lads", or "our team".

This week, they have been using their own tactics to show their support for Russia in its row with Estonia.

They have picketed the Estonian embassy in Moscow.

They broke into a hall in the centre of Moscow where the Estonian ambassador was about to give a news conference, and clashed with the ambassador's guards.

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Putin has a new generation of supporters and they are a very active bunch. The Nashi are not your every day teenagers. They are taking to the streets protesting and declaring their loyalty to Russia. From this article we can learn how Russia youth are becoming politically active.

Assessment Complete

Expanding Energy

MOSCOW — Russia expanded its growing European energy empire Friday, signing two more deals raising fears among Western leaders that the growing dependence is giving the Kremlin a powerful geopolitical weapon.

Announcing the signing of two agreements to construct pipeline and storage facilities in Serbia, Russian officials said the deal would make the poor Balkan nation an important hub for the distribution of Russian gas.

Russia has been rushing to build or acquire European pipelines, storage facilities, ports and energy companies. Russia already supplies one-quarter of Europe's natural-gas and oil needs.

Just last week, Bulgaria agreed to become a major hub for a proposed 550-mile underwater pipeline from the southern Russian coast to the Black Sea's western shore. In December, Turkmenistan signed a deal with Russia to build a pipeline that would increase shipments of gas to Russia. The U.S. has led an effort to limit its inroads — in part by planning new energy pipelines that would bypass Russian territory, but Chris Weafer, chief strategist at UralSib, a Russian investment bank, said fast action by Russia to increase its energy deals has made it difficult for Western countries to organize the huge financial investment needed for rival pipelines.

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Russia is now expanding its energy reserves. This poses a potential problem for westernized countries. Could Russia be planning something? From this article we learn about Russia's interaction with other countries and Russia's solution the approching energy crisis.

Russia: Security Forces Violently Disperse Protest In Ingushetia

RFE/RL's Russian Service reported that the violence began after about 1,000 demonstrators tried to gather in a central square in Ingushetia's capital, Nazran, but heavily armed riot police blocked streets leading to the square.

Protesters then began throwing rocks and incendiary devices at the police, who fired shots into the air before moving into the crowd. Police and paramilitary forces then chased protesters through the center of Nazran.

RFE/RL's Danila Galperovich, who was on the scene, said that "local police special forces were attacked by demonstrators with stones and Molotov cocktails. Special forces responded with heavy force, using tear gas and hand guns."

Later, he and other journalists with independent media, as well human rights activists, were detained by police. The others detained included "Novaya gazeta" correspondent Olga Bobrova, Ekho Moskvy radio correspondents Vladimir Varfolomeyev and Roman Plusov, and two activists from the Russian human rights
group Memorial, Yekaterina Sokiriaskaya and Timur Akiyev.

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People in Russia are not happy with the way things are being run. As a result of this unhappiness they are beginning to take a stand. From this article we see how Russia quickly and forcefully strike down any form of rebellion. Could another revolution be on the horizon?

Russian Navy Fired Missiles Off of French Coast

A Russian military official has said that "two Tu-160 bombers tested the missiles in neutral waters in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of France and Spain on Tuesday." Recently, the Russian military has resumed many patrols and practices that were suspended after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It "was revived last August as part of a more assertive foreign policy pursued by President Vladimir Putin."

"Military analysts say Russia's boosted military presence is largely symbolic. Higher oil prices have enabled Russia to re-invest in its armed forces but its military capabilities remain far below what they were during the Soviet era, correspondents say. "

To read the full story, click here.

This increase in military presence, while being completely neutral, may either aid foriegn opinion or further hurt the international views towards the Russian Navy, which currently suffers from "accidents such as the sinking of the Kursk nuclear submarine in 2000." Between this and suspending the CFE, Russia is pushing the limits in the break of policies created at the end of the Cold War, and it will prove interesting to see how international organizations like the UN will react.


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Vladimir Putin’s Trademark Begins to Decline

Dmitry Medvedev

"Putin’s persona, the Vladimir Putin brand, goes out of fashion slowly but surely. Russians are developing a new political addiction – Dmitry Medvedev, Putin’s protégé, his official successor. The propaganda machine has been taking great efforts to promote the new brand across Russia. The new brand, Dmitry Medvedev, has thus been outshining his predecessor – Putin."

"November of 2007 became the peak of “hail-Putin period.” That was the time when Russia was getting ready for parliamentary elections and when Putin chaired United Russia party. Thousands were saying that it would be a crime for Putin to step down. Those who urged all Russians to vote for Putin now say that the people of Russia should vote for Dmitry Medvedev.
“We were supporting Putin’s course, not a particular person. Since Dmitry Medvedev personifies Putin’s course now, we are now supporting Medvedev,” they say. "

"Putin's approval rating was 81% in June 2007, and the highest of any leader in the world. His popularity rose from 31% in August 1999 to 80% in November 1999 and since then it has never fallen below 65%. Observers see Putin's high approval ratings as a consequence of higher living standards that improved during his rule and Russia's reassertion of itself on the world scene. Most Russians are also deeply disillusioned with the West after all the hardships of 90s, and they no longer trust pro-western politicians associated with Yeltsin that were removed from the political scene under Putin's leadership. "

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Medvedev will most likely win the presidency because of Putin's popularity. Putin is pushing Medvedev's name and the people will probably vote for him simply to support Putin.

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Media Offer to Putin Judo Partner

Putin has a black belt in Judo.

"A friend and judo partner of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vasily Shestakov, has been asked to fill a key role in a new official media centre.

The National Information Centre will offer journalists rare access to senior government figures, an official said.

Mr Shestakov said he had been invited to head the centre's supervisory board, Russian reports say.

The thick-set Mr Shestakov is said to have taught Mr Putin judo throws. The two also co-authored a book on judo."

"As a personal friend of the president himself, it may be interpreted as the Kremlin's wish to maintain a tight grip on the media."

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This gives some more insight into Putin and his presidency. This could be interpreted as a move to control the media and repair some of the damage done between neighboring countries.

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Russia Sends Warning to the West

"President Vladimir Putin's decision to suspend Russia's participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe, or CFE, treaty is a potent political signal."

Recently, Putin has made it clear that he no intention of cooperating with political actions or initiatives associated with President Bush and Washington, even after "the informal meeting at the start of this month between the US and Russian presidents at the Bush family's holiday home at Kennebunkport in Maine." This is even leading the UN to question just "how far Russia might go to block initiatives backed by Washington and its key allies."

"The Russians have been threatening to suspend their participation in the CFE treaty for several months." Now, Putin's patience has gone and he has suspended "various routine inspections, exchanges of data, and so on. President Putin's decree to suspend application of the treaty is not the same as a full-scale withdrawal - that would require a formal notification of the other parties".

To read the full story, click here.





Although the CFE is no longer relevant, the decision to suspend it is. It demonstrates Putin's strong oppostition against the US, but at the same time, but also shows how Russia is beginning to make similar actions. As the article said, "in a sense Mr Putin is just demonstrating that what the Americans can do in the name of their vital interests, so Russia can also threaten in the name of its national interest." The thing to watch now will be how the West and UN react.

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Kasyanov Is Almost Out of Elections

Russian law dictates that an independent candidate must have two million valid signatures. No more than 5% of the signatures can be forged. "While the electoral commission has yet to reach a final decision on whether or not Mr Kasyanov can run, they now say that 13.38% of his signatures are invalid.

"The number of certified signatures is less than two million, which is sufficient basis to reject his registration as candidate for the presidency," said commission member Nikolai Konkin."

To read more, click here.

DO NOT GRADE

Kasyanov Facing Forgery Investigation

"The Russian prosecutor-general's office on Tuesday announced a forgery investigation has been opened against the campaign of an opposition candidate for the presidential election. " If more than five percent of the signatures are found to be forgeries, Mikhail Kasyanov will not be permitted to run in the election planned to take place March 2nd.

On Saturday, he was quoted complaining of alleged official harassment. This harassment and "political pressure" is not being taken lightly by Kasyanov. He has told the public that "in numerous Russian regions, crude intimidation has been deployed against people officially registered as campaign workers ... people have been threatened, intimidated and forced to admit to committing illegal acts."

Whether or not Kasyanov will be permitted to run as a presidential candidate will be made known when the final candidate list for the election is to be announced on Sunday.

To read the story in its entirety, click here.

This forgery investigation holds great importance since Kasyanov is seemingly the only candidate running against Putin-endorsed First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. If he is barred from the election, there will be little to no opposition, leaving Russia with Medvedev as the president and Putin as the new Prime Minister.

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Friendship Between Russia and Ukraine Comes to an End

"If Ukraine becomes a NATO member, Russia will be forced to take adequate measures in return. Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry released a statement in connection with a letter from the Ukrainian administration to include Ukraine in NATO Membership Action Plan.

“We believe that any country is free to independently choose a way to guarantee its own security, including the expansion of ties with military and political structures,” the statement from Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.
“However, the new radical expansion of NATO may lead to serious military and political changes which will inevitably touch upon Russia’s security interests,” it continued.

The ministry reminded that Russia and Ukraine have been practicing friendly bilateral relations documented in the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership signed in 1997. According to the treaty, the two countries refrain from participating or supporting any actions that could damage their security. In this connection, a possible integration of Ukraine into NATO will seriously complicate Russian-Ukrainian relations. “The Russian administration is led to believe that the current Ukrainian administration views its NATO membership as an alternative to friendly ties with the Russian Federation.

A survey of 2,012 Ukrainians taken in December found that 58.9 percent opposed NATO membership, while 21 percent favored it. The rest of respondents were undecided."

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Russia seems to be on an isolation and alienation rampage. There is a good chance that Ukraine will be another lost ally. Hopefully the two neighboring countries will be able to work out some sort of agreement, or maybe the Ukrainian government will find a way to appease Russia like the U.K. did the other week.

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Russsia's Costly Holiday

Russia has resumed its daily routine after its long break for New Year and
Orthodox Christmas. Russian media have been trying to add up the cost of the
lengthy lay-off: one newspaper says the holiday has cost the country some 2 per
cent of GDP.

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From this article we can learn more about the Russian economy. Because the Christmas holiday has lost some of its Gross Domestic Product. We can also learn a little about one of Russia's many traditions. When comparing the politics of various countries people must take into account the customs of the people as well as their economy.

Assessment Complete

Russia Signs Gas Pipeline Deal With Bulgaria

Friday, January 16, President Putin signed a 10 billion euro deal with Bulgarian president Georgy Parvanov. The South Stream is to carry Russian gas to Europe, giving Moscow an even greater say on European energy supplies. "Thanks to the personal intervention of President Puting," these two former Cold War allies have now secured a new deal that will "[allow] Russia to send natural gas directly to Europe through Bulgaria and bypassing Turkey, which has been a crucial transit route for Russia’s gas exports to European markets. The agreement on the South Stream pipeline dealt another blow to Nabucco, a major European Union gas pipeline project designed to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on Russia."

“The E.U., shockingly, acts like a naïve bystander, completely blind to the major strategic reconfiguration that is taking place in the Balkans,” Mr. Minchev said."

To read the full story, click here.

It seems that Russia is acting in a way that is making both the UK and some other European countries to hold disaprroval with Russia's diplomatic actions. From the arguement brought about by the UK's Foreign Secrectary's description of Russian regulation and now the blow to Nabucco could put Russia on the bad side in European minds.

Putin's Nominee for President Has A Challenger

As Russian elections get closer, there is only one truely recognized candidate running for office. Now, former Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Kasyanov, is petitioning to run in the elections. He is said to have submitted a list of supporters containing over two million names. " Russian law requires candidates who lack the backing of a party with seats in parliament to deliver the petition."


On Wednesday, January 16, he arrived at the election commision office where "[h]e told the BBC he did not believe the election would be free or fair." A free and fair election would most likely still not get him into office because "[h]e was sacked as prime minister in 2004 and subsequently investigated for corruption - a move he claimed was politically motivated."


This does not apparently deter Kasyanov from running. But, he said, he was running for the presidency in order to defend the "democratic" institutions he had empowered during his time in government.





"Today I feel that all my... results are being destroyed by this current regime," he said.

To read the article in its entirety here.

Although he has little chance of winning, Kasyanov is utilizing the Russian law that "requires candidates who lack the backing of a party with seats in parliament to deliver the petition." He is essentially showing Putin that not every Russian approves of the way things are being run now and do not wish for Putin's "lap dog" to gain office.

U-turn Settles UK-Russia Art Row

Henri Matisse's "The Dance"

"LONDON, England (CNN) -- A row over a ban on an exhibition of art loaned from Russia has been resolved after Britain brought forward laws that will protect the paintings from seizure.

Moscow's Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts has pulled the plug on a planned exhibition in London.

Russian officials had threatened to block the release of works by artists including Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh and Picasso in case their ownership was disputed by individuals claiming they were stolen during the 1917 revolution.

But on Friday Moscow backed down after Britain said it would fast-track new legislation promising the art would not be seized while in the country.

Russia's Federal Culture agency said it would issue licences for the paintings to travel to London's Royal Academy of Art next month but spokeswoman Natalia Uvarova told the UK's Press Association that "the law must ensure the art's immunity from seizure."

The exhibition, "From Russia: French and Russian Master Paintings 1870-1925 from Moscow and St. Petersburg," includes more than 120 works from Russia's principal collections, including the Pushkin and the State Hermitage Museum."

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This article shows that Russia is still having to deal with their past deeds and that the U.K. is willing to overlook some of these wrongdoings in order to guarantee the art show. They are also attempting to appease Russia.

David Miliband: UK Foreign Secretary

"UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has described Russia's actions against the British Council as "reprehensible" and a "stain" on the country's reputation.

He said council staff had been grilled by Russian security services on issues including their family pets' health.

Such actions were "not worthy of a great country", he said, reading out EU and US messages of support for Britain.

The council has suspended work at two Russian offices, saying "intimidation" made it impossible to continue. "

The article goes on to say:

The Russian foreign minister had made it clear that its
"attacks"
on the British Council "were linked" to the Litvinenko case.

Measures announced last year- including visa restrictions for Russian
officials travelling to the UK- "will continue to be administered
rigorously."

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The strained relationship between the U.K. and Russia could sever even more ties. Russia has already hurt its relationship with Switzerland and France. Continuing on this path of political isolation could lead some to believe that Russia is reverting back to the Soviet Regime.

Russia Blocks Kosovo's Independence

Russsia is blocking the nation of Kosovo from becoming a nation.This articles show the stubborness of Nation. It also shows how the Russian government can abuse its power.

Russia, which has used its UN Security Council veto powers to stall Kosovo
independence, promised to go one step further. If the rebel province declares
independence from Serbia, Russia will see to it that the country is
shut out of international groups.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said on
Wednesday, Jan. 16, Kosovo "would not become members of the United Nations, they
would not become members of international political institutions if they go down
the road of unilateral declarations."


Serbian President
Boris Tadic confirmed those sentiments the same day in a speech to the UN
Security Council vowing that his country would never recognize the country's
sovereignty.

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Nuclear Fuel

http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10329031

STOCKHOLM, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Sweden-listed oil
firm West Siberian Resources (WSIBsdb.ST: Quote, Profile, Research) said on
Tuesday it had signed a preliminary agreement to buy Alliance Oil in a stock
deal valuing the Russian firm at about $1.5 billion.

West Siberian, which has its operations in
Russia, said payment for Alliance Oil would consist of around 1.75 billion new
West Siberian shares. Under the terms of the deal, Alliance shareholders would
own 60 percent of stock in the merged firm.

The firms said in a joint statement the deal
would create a vertically integrated oil company with stable access to crude oil
and operations ranging from prospecting and production to refining of petroleum
products.

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In today's world oil is becoming a major concern. The price of oil is skyrocketing. In this article we can take a look at how the oil problem is effecting Russia and what they are doing to cope.

Russian Accounts Frozen in France

"Russian state bank accounts held in France have been frozen following pressure from a Swiss firm that is suing Russia for unpaid debts.

Russia's VTB Bank said several accounts held at its French arm had been frozen in line with a court ruling in Paris.

The accounts reportedly belong to the Russian finance ministry, arms firm Rosoboronexport, the Russian Central Bank and the RIA Novosti news agency.

The Swiss firm Noga has long been battling to seize Russian state assets."

In 2001, this Su-30 jet was almost seized in an air show because of Russia's debt.

The Russian government is not happy about their frozen accounts in France and the lawsuit in Switzerland.

Russia's finance ministry says it will appeal against the French court's ruling
and will seek compensation for the freezing of the accounts.

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Here is another article about this.

The Russian frozen accounts had close ties to the Russian government and it is possible that up to 73 million dollars could now be inaccessible. This has infuriated and sent Moscow into an uproar.

Putin Selects His Choice for the Upcoming Elections

As the Russian Presidential elections get close, President Putin's support of potential candidate has not been what anyone could call constant. Over the past few months, his public endorsements of candidates has jumped from Dmitry Medvedev to Sergei Ivanov to Viktor Zubkov, and then back to Mr. Medvedev. Now, Medvedev has "invited Mr Putin to be his prime minister."

Medvedev has been termed "Putin-2" and reaffirmed this on the day he was "anointed." In a televised statement he "rea[d] from an autocue, and even imitat[ed] Mr Putin's voice and style, he declared: “I consider it of utmost importance for our country to keep Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in the highest post of executive power, the post of head of government of the Russian Federation.”

Read this story in its entirety here.

The endorsements that Putin provides the potential candidates has proved to be a deciding factor in the opinion polls. The "leading candidate" has become whoever Putin is supporting at the time. This shows how Putin still holds lots of influence over Russia's citizens. At the rate his "favor" has been floating around, another change would not come as a suprise.

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