http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 23 May 2013 14:16:57 +0200 Thu, 23 May 2013 14:16:57 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/putin-uses-patriotism-to-strengthen-hold-on-russia-a-898170.html#ref=rss Exactly one year ago, Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin following a brief hiatus. Since then, he has markedly reduced protest freedoms, undermined the judiciary and presented himself as a patriotic man of the people. He wants to free himself of his party and parliament. Mon, 06 May 2013 18:05:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/putin-uses-patriotism-to-strengthen-hold-on-russia-a-898170.html Exactly one year ago, Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin following a brief hiatus. Since then, he has markedly reduced protest freedoms, undermined the judiciary and presented himself as a patriotic man of the people. He wants to free himself of his party and parliament.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/moscow-may-order-release-of-imprisoned-russian-oligarch-khodorkovsky-a-895760.html#ref=rss Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man and Putin's strongest adversary, could soon be released from prison. Can the polarizing oil tycoon reinvigorate a beleagered opposition? Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:59:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/moscow-may-order-release-of-imprisoned-russian-oligarch-khodorkovsky-a-895760.html Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man and Putin's strongest adversary, could soon be released from prison. Can the polarizing oil tycoon reinvigorate a beleagered opposition?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russian-opposition-blogger-on-trial-in-russia-a-894891.html#ref=rss Blogger Alexei Navalny, a leading figure in Russia's opposition movement, helped to deprive President Vladimir Putin's party of its two-thirds majority in the 2011 parliamentary election. Now he's on trial for embezzlement, and even investigators aren't hiding the fact that the case is politically motivated. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russian-opposition-blogger-on-trial-in-russia-a-894891.html Blogger Alexei Navalny, a leading figure in Russia's opposition movement, helped to deprive President Vladimir Putin's party of its two-thirds majority in the 2011 parliamentary election. Now he's on trial for embezzlement, and even investigators aren't hiding the fact that the case is politically motivated.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-relations-with-russia-deteriorate-amid-pressure-from-moscow-a-894386.html#ref=rss Germany has fallen out of favor with the Kremlin, which has ramped up pressure on German institutions in Russia. But while Chancellor Angela Merkel disapproves of President Vladimir Putin's authoritarian presidency, she has no desire to burn bridges with the country. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:19:56 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-relations-with-russia-deteriorate-amid-pressure-from-moscow-a-894386.html Germany has fallen out of favor with the Kremlin, which has ramped up pressure on German institutions in Russia. But while Chancellor Angela Merkel disapproves of President Vladimir Putin's authoritarian presidency, she has no desire to burn bridges with the country.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-investors-discouraged-by-corruption-in-russia-a-892043.html#ref=rss Russian President Vladimir Putin is proud of how well his country is performing economically. But corrupt officials and powerful oligarchs are hampering the country's development. For German companies, the Russian market is as treacherous as it is enticing. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:53:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-investors-discouraged-by-corruption-in-russia-a-892043.html Russian President Vladimir Putin is proud of how well his country is performing economically. But corrupt officials and powerful oligarchs are hampering the country's development. For German companies, the Russian market is as treacherous as it is enticing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/corrupt-russian-politician-in-putin-party-murdered-a-891055.html#ref=rss A corrupt rising star in Putin's ruling party was recently found dead in a cement-filled barrel. His murder reveals the murky cross-section of politics, business and crime that characterizes today's Russia. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:04:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/corrupt-russian-politician-in-putin-party-murdered-a-891055.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-putin-ally-alexei-kudrin-on-democracy-in-russia-a-878873.html#ref=rss Alexei Kudrin is seen as having good chances to succeed Dmitry Medvedev as Russian prime minister. In a SPIEGEL interview, he speaks about the need for more democracy in his country, President Putin's pragmatism and the dangers still facing the euro zone. Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:21:16 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-putin-ally-alexei-kudrin-on-democracy-in-russia-a-878873.html Alexei Kudrin is seen as having good chances to succeed Dmitry Medvedev as Russian prime minister. In a SPIEGEL interview, he speaks about the need for more democracy in his country, President Putin's pragmatism and the dangers still facing the euro zone.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/yo-mobil-hybrid-car-latest-of-russian-high-tech-projects-to-stall-a-869790.html#ref=rss Russian President Vladimir Putin has been pumping billions into efforts to revive his country's reputation as a high-tech powerhouse. The Yo-mobil hybrid minicar is just the latest in a series of ambitious projects to stall soon after being unveiled. Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:50:07 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/yo-mobil-hybrid-car-latest-of-russian-high-tech-projects-to-stall-a-869790.html Russian President Vladimir Putin has been pumping billions into efforts to revive his country's reputation as a high-tech powerhouse. The Yo-mobil hybrid minicar is just the latest in a series of ambitious projects to stall soon after being unveiled. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/grassroots-movement-gains-momentum-in-russia-a-868338.html#ref=rss President Vladimir Putin has overwhelmed the leaders of Russia's opposition with Soviet-style methods. But he will not be able to stop the modernization of Russian society in the same way. A new grassroots movement is already taking shape. Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:20:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/grassroots-movement-gains-momentum-in-russia-a-868338.html President Vladimir Putin has overwhelmed the leaders of Russia's opposition with Soviet-style methods. But he will not be able to stop the modernization of Russian society in the same way. A new grassroots movement is already taking shape.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-harsh-tone-dominates-russian-german-consultations-in-moscow-a-867622.html#ref=rss Germany's relationship with Russia has eroded in recent years, with Berlin becoming much more critical of President Vladimir Putin's slow slide into authoritarianism. Ahead of Merkel's Friday arrival in Moscow, top Russian officials have ratcheted up the caustic rhetoric in response. Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:04:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-harsh-tone-dominates-russian-german-consultations-in-moscow-a-867622.html Germany's relationship with Russia has eroded in recent years, with Berlin becoming much more critical of President Vladimir Putin's slow slide into authoritarianism. Ahead of Merkel's Friday arrival in Moscow, top Russian officials have ratcheted up the caustic rhetoric in response. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/petersburg-dialogue-forces-russia-and-germany-to-overcome-tensions-a-867217.html#ref=rss Relations between Moscow and Berlin are particularly chilly ahead of the Petersburg Dialogue, a biannual meeting of politicians, businessmen, and civil-society representatives from Russia and Germany. Both sides will have no choice but to talk, listen and swallow some uncomfortable truths. Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:56:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/petersburg-dialogue-forces-russia-and-germany-to-overcome-tensions-a-867217.html Relations between Moscow and Berlin are particularly chilly ahead of the Petersburg Dialogue, a biannual meeting of politicians, businessmen, and civil-society representatives from Russia and Germany. Both sides will have no choice but to talk, listen and swallow some uncomfortable truths. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-commissioner-for-german-russian-coordination-schockenhoff-a-864566.html#ref=rss Andreas Schockenhoff, Germany's commissioner for German-Russian coordination, has sparked tensions with Moscow with his unfiltered directness. In a SPIEGEL interview, he discusses worrying trends in Russia, why he has an obligation to speak out and what still gives him hope. Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:02:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-commissioner-for-german-russian-coordination-schockenhoff-a-864566.html Andreas Schockenhoff, Germany's commissioner for German-Russian coordination, has sparked tensions with Moscow with his unfiltered directness. In a SPIEGEL interview, he discusses worrying trends in Russia, why he has an obligation to speak out and what still gives him hope. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-interview-with-samutsevich-released-member-of-pussy-riot-a-861329.html#ref=rss A Moscow appeals court unexpectedly released Pussy Riot member Yekaterina Samutsevich from prison last week. After she was freed, SPIEGEL spoke to her about the conditions of her imprisonment, President Vladimir Putin's influence over the judiciary and what comes next for the protest punk band. Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-interview-with-samutsevich-released-member-of-pussy-riot-a-861329.html A Moscow appeals court unexpectedly released Pussy Riot member Yekaterina Samutsevich from prison last week. After she was freed, SPIEGEL spoke to her about the conditions of her imprisonment, President Vladimir Putin's influence over the judiciary and what comes next for the protest punk band.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-vladimir-yakunin-on-tensions-between-russia-and-west-a-860814.html#ref=rss Vladimir Putin has delayed a planned trip to Turkey following the forced landing of a Syrian plane in Ankara. In an interview, Vladimir Yukanin, a confidant to the Russian president, defends Russian weapons deliveries to dictator Bashar Assad and accuses the West of provoking a confrontation. Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:21:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-vladimir-yakunin-on-tensions-between-russia-and-west-a-860814.html Vladimir Putin has delayed a planned trip to Turkey following the forced landing of a Syrian plane in Ankara. In an interview, Vladimir Yukanin, a confidant to the Russian president, defends Russian weapons deliveries to dictator Bashar Assad and accuses the West of provoking a confrontation.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-flies-with-endangered-cranes-a-854339.html#ref=rss Russian President Vladimir Putin has ventured out into the wild once again. Having already tamed horses, tigers and whales, his latest macho PR stunt involved leading endangered cranes on their flight south for the winter. But opponents are squawking over the endeavor. Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-flies-with-endangered-cranes-a-854339.html Russian President Vladimir Putin has ventured out into the wild once again. Having already tamed horses, tigers and whales, his latest macho PR stunt involved leading endangered cranes on their flight south for the winter. But opponents are squawking over the endeavor.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-russian-activist-alexei-navalny-a-850914.html#ref=rss The prominent blogger and lawyer Alexi Navalny is one of the leaders of Russia's opposition. In a SPIEGEL interview, Navalny talks about the verdict in the Pussy Riot case, the role of women in anti-Putin protests and why he is not afraid of going to jail. Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:10:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-russian-activist-alexei-navalny-a-850914.html The prominent blogger and lawyer Alexi Navalny is one of the leaders of Russia's opposition. In a SPIEGEL interview, Navalny talks about the verdict in the Pussy Riot case, the role of women in anti-Putin protests and why he is not afraid of going to jail.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/commentary-on-verdict-in-pussy-riot-trial-a-850696.html#ref=rss The three members of Pussy Riot on trial in Moscow have received sentences of two years in jail. With the harsh verdict on the harmless artists, Russian President Vladimir Putin has committed a serious mistake: He is provoking the opposition to more aggression toward the state. Fri, 17 Aug 2012 18:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/commentary-on-verdict-in-pussy-riot-trial-a-850696.html The three members of Pussy Riot on trial in Moscow have received sentences of two years in jail. With the harsh verdict on the harmless artists, Russian President Vladimir Putin has committed a serious mistake: He is provoking the opposition to more aggression toward the state.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/pussy-riot-band-members-found-guilty-in-russia-a-850655.html#ref=rss After an eight-day trial, a Moscow court found three members of protest punk band Pussy Riot guilty on Friday. The judge, who has received death threats, handed down the sentence of two years as groups of protesters gathered outside the court. Supporters of the anti-Putin activists held rallies in various countries. Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/pussy-riot-band-members-found-guilty-in-russia-a-850655.html After an eight-day trial, a Moscow court found three members of protest punk band Pussy Riot guilty on Friday. The judge, who has received death threats, handed down the sentence of two years as groups of protesters gathered outside the court. Supporters of the anti-Putin activists held rallies in various countries.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-husband-of-pussy-riot-member-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-a-849730.html#ref=rss Pyotr Verzilov is the husband of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, one of the members of Pussy Riot currently on trial in Moscow. In a SPIEGEL interview, he talks about how his wife is coping with her detention, the activists' goals for Russia and how their young daughter plans to liberate her mother with a bulldozer. Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:52:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-husband-of-pussy-riot-member-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-a-849730.html Pyotr Verzilov is the husband of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, one of the members of Pussy Riot currently on trial in Moscow. In a SPIEGEL interview, he talks about how his wife is coping with her detention, the activists' goals for Russia and how their young daughter plans to liberate her mother with a bulldozer.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-cover-story-on-pussy-riot-trial-and-putin-a-849697.html#ref=rss Vladimir Putin is rapidly transforming Russia into a repressive state reminiscent of the Soviet Union, and the Pussy Riot trial is the climax in his campaign against the opposition. However, following massive media attention, his crackdown on the punk band could backfire. Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:10:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-cover-story-on-pussy-riot-trial-and-putin-a-849697.html Vladimir Putin is rapidly transforming Russia into a repressive state reminiscent of the Soviet Union, and the Pussy Riot trial is the climax in his campaign against the opposition. However, following massive media attention, his crackdown on the punk band could backfire.]]>