PPF in Russia
Yulia Latynina of Ekho Moskvy says the Russian elite can be divided into three groups: 1) Loyal servants who won't even use toilet paper without asking the Kremlin first; 2) those who know they can do anything as long as they dance for Putin afterwards; and 3) those who want the Kremlin to use its muscle to rescue them. She reserves her biggest disdain for the bootlickers in the last group who expect the government to solve their problems. In the CR, PPF would fall into category No. 2, but in Russia it's a candidate for No. 3. It's in a battle with Oleg Deripaska (whom Latynina puts in category No. 2) over Ingosstrakh insurer, and it's expecting the legal system to bring it justice. Deripaska is using the practices of the 1990s, it shouts! The irony of PPF's plight in Russia is that it can probably only succeed by becoming more like the very opponent it is criticizing ... and by learning a good dance routine.
Glossary of difficult words
Yulia Latynina - a respected Russian journalist;Ekho Moskvy - a radio station controlled by Gazprom but that is still considered independent;
muscle - power or strength, esp. in a commerical or political context;
disdain - contempt, scorn;
bootlicker - a servile or obsequious person;
Oleg Deripaska - one of Russia's richest men;
Ingosstrakh - Russia's second largest insurer; PPF acquired 38%, but Deripaska is trying to dilute its share in a new-share issue;
plight - a dangerous, difficult or otherwise unfortunate situation;
routine - a set sequence in a performance, such as a dance or comedy act.