SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 07, 2012
Mass arrests of protesters over the weekend signal tough times ahead for Russia. Vladimir Putin's inauguration for his third term as president on Monday heralds the rollback of meager reforms made by his predecessor Dmitry Medvedev. Instead of expanding freedoms in the country, Putin has been vaguely refining his Potemkin democracy. By Matthias Schepp in Moscow more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 02, 2012
With Russia set to vote on Sunday, SPIEGEL continues to explore the atmosphere in the country in part two of its preelection coverage. Vladimir Putin looks set to win the presidency, but residents are growing increasingly resistant to corruption and media control. By Walter Mayr, Christian Neef and Matthias Schepp more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 01, 2012
Vladimir Putin plans to win a third term as Russian president in Sunday's election. But he has been weakened by the anti-government protests that have broken out in recent months, and many Russians believe he lacks a vision for the country. Is Russia on the brink of radical change? By Walter Mayr, Christian Neef and Matthias Schepp more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 24, 2012
The world is used to macho images of Vladimir Putin hunting bears, harpooning whales or fly-fishing. A German documentary filmmaker was recently granted unprecedented access to the Russian prime minister. And he found a lonely, aging and surprisingly likeable man. By Markus Brauck and Matthias Schepp more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 09, 2012
Russia's young people are growing up with more freedom than ever. Twenty years after the end of communism, the first post-Soviet generation is transforming the country -- whether the once and future president likes it or not. By Benjamin Bidder more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 31, 2012
Mikhail Prokhorov is one of the wealthiest men in Russia and now he wants to enter the Kremlin, planning to challenge Vladimir Putin in the 2012 presidential election. Speaking to SPIEGEL ONLINE he speaks out against Russia's political class and urges the release of oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 31, 2012
Some see Russian presidential candidate Mikhail Prokhorov, one of the world's richest men, as a Kremlin puppet, even though he has supporters among the Moscow protesters and oligarchs tired of Vladimir Putin. But he is challenging Putin in the campaign by calling for more privatization and less government. By Matthias Schepp more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 12, 2011
The disputed elections in Russia have unleashed a wave of rage and sparked the largest anti-government protests since the end of the Soviet Union, organized via the Internet. The Kremlin seems powerless to stop the online activists as Russians lose their fear. For the first time, Vladimir Putin seems vulnerable. By Benjamin Bidder, Christian Neef and Matthias Schepp more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 06, 2011
Russian Prime Minister cum president Vladimir Putin had his wings clipped by the Sunday parliamentary elections, despite apparent efforts to manipulate the vote. He may now be forced to inject more democracy into his rule, but some German commentators say critics should be careful what they wish for. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 06, 2011
The US and Russia intended to "reset" their relations under US President Barack Obama. Instead, however, the two countries continue to squabble over the planned missile shield, which Washington insists is to protect against attack from Iran. The debate shows signs of turning into a new arms race. By Matthias Schepp more...
