What the Papers Say, May 6, 2014

Kommersant

1. Yury Barsukov article headlined "Common price named for Ukraine" says that the International Monetary Fund's loan program for Ukraine envisages that Kiev will buy Russian gas at $380 per 1,000 cubic meters as soon as 2014. The Russian Economic Development Ministry also expects the gas price for Ukraine to reduce to $350 per 1,000 cubic meters in 2015; pp 1, 10 (665 words).

2. Yelena Chernenko article headlined "Foreign policy developments head for ruble" says that the Foreign Ministry has been offered to set up a fund to sponsor foreign policy research and development in order to substitute foreign financing of nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, engaged in this activity with the Russian one. The initiative is also meant to help Russian NGOs avoid to be labelled as "foreign agents"; pp 1, 3 (838 words).

3. Sergei Mashkin article headlined "Though parquet, but defender" says that in response to State Duma lawmaker Valery Rashkin's inquiry, the Main Military Prosecutor's Office has found it justified to grant amnesty to former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who was charged with negligence. Rashkin was dissatisfied with this and complained to President Vladimir Putin; pp 1, 5 (496 words).

4. Sergei Goryashko article headlined "Business ombudsman left in risk zone" says that the Economic Development Ministry has drafted amendments to the law regulating the performance of businessmen's rights ombudsmen, which envisage extending ombudsmen's authorities, but lack a provision on ombudsmen's immunity; p 2 (528 words).

5. Leonid Ivanov et al. article headlined "Mejlis threatened with liquidation" says that the Crimean prosecutor's office has issued a warning to the chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, or parliament, about the unacceptability of conducting extremist activities. In case of noncompliance, the Mejlis will be liquidated, the warning says; p 3 (572 words).

6. Maxim Ivanov et al. article headlined "Maidan in expanded form presented to president" says that the Kremlin has published a Foreign Ministry-made White Book report on human rights violations in Ukraine in the period from November 2013 to March 2014. The president's human rights council thinks that some information mentioned in the report needs to be checked; p 3 (652 words).

7. Andrei Pertsev and Maxim Pilotov article headlined "Vladimir Putin wishes success to Marina Kovtun" says that Putin has appointed Murmansk Region governor Marina Kovtun as an acting regional head, thus enabling her to stand in the autumn election; p 3 (623 words).

8. Vladimir Barinov article headlined "Former senator arrested at third attempt" says that Moscow's Basmanny court has issued an arrest warrant in absentia for the former Federation Council senator from the Republic of Tyva and the beneficiary of the bankrupt bank Mezhprombank, Sergei Pugachev, charged with large-scale embezzlement; p 4 (604 words).

9. Alexander Igorev article headlined "Police go away from federal districts" says that Putin has abolished the Interior Ministry's main directorates in federal districts, except for the North Caucasus Federal District, and cut the number of the staff of the ministry's central headquarters; p 4 (400 words).

10. Sergei Strokan et al. article headlined "Ukraine between Slovyansk and Geneva" says that the Ukrainian authorities' "anti-terror" operation in the country's southeastern regions has resumed, although it continues to be ineffective. The West has increased its economic and political support for Kiev. Meanwhile, leading European diplomats are actively discussing the possibility of holding a new international conference on Ukraine; p 6 (709 words).

11. Kirill Belyaninov article headlined "U.S to help Kiev with Viktor Yanukovych's money" says that the U.S. has denied media reports that US advisers are taking part in the Ukrainian authorities' operation in the southeast, but confirmed that a group of officers from the FBI and the CIA has been sent to Kiev to "help find the funds taken abroad by the former Ukrainian government". Nevertheless, Moscow is sure that Washington has had a hand in the Ukrainian developments; p 6 (496 words).

12. Darina Dmitryeva report "Odessa buries identified ones" says that the funerals of those who were killed in a fire in Odessa's Trade Unions House on 2 May, have taken place. The city is tired of confrontation and does not want the "export of revolution", article says; p 6 (950 words).

Vedomosti

1. Margarita Papchenkova article headlined "Government no longer trusts trusts" looks at a national plan to combat tax evasion and concealment of beneficiaries, developed by the government; pp 1, 4 (800 words).

2. Andrei Sinitsyn article headlined "Only oil" comments on the Moscow city authorities' initiative to introduce tax privileges for oil companies to make them stay in the city. This comes amid the campaign to relocate the central offices of oil and gas companies as well as certain federal agencies from the Russian capital city to regions; pp 1, 6 (550 words).

3. Alexei Nikolsky report "Assault interrupted by pouring rain" looks at the situation in the southeast of Ukraine and says that the most serious armed clashes since the beginning of the conflict in Slovyansk have resulted in the death and injuries of dozens of people, but have not radically changed the situation surrounding the city; p 2 (650 words).

4. Maria Zheleznova report "Maybe war will begin tomorrow" says that the emotional uplift Russians used to have, has been replaced with anxiety: a civil war is looming over Ukraine, half of those polled by the Levada Centre have said; p 3 (500 words).

5. Alexei Nikolsky report "Everything is for Crimea" says that Putin has found internal reserves for Crimea in the Interior Ministry: more personnel will be hired and, at the same time, a large-scale reduction in the number of the staff is expected in the ministry; p 3 (400 words).

6. Olga Kuvshinova report "Recession as norm" says that the Russian economy has bogged down in stagnation. However, now, gradual recession may become the "new norm", article says; p 4 (700 words).

7. Yekaterina Kravchenko report "Playing against Russia" says that the U.S. intends to help Europe reduce dependence on gas deliveries from Russia. To do this, the U.S. should "open the road to LNG deliveries", report says; p 5 (650 words).

8. Konstantin Simonov report "New Middle Ages" looks at the situation in Ukraine and says that the collapse of a state near our borders and near the borders of the EU causes the gloomiest expectations. There is very little chance of preserving current Ukraine, article says; p 7 (600 words).

9. Dmitry Kamyshev report in the column "Quote of week" looks at the situation in Ukraine and at the concept of double standards used both by Russia and the U.S. in their approach to the conflict; p 7 (450 words).

Izvestia

1. Alena Sivkova and Yelena Teslova article headlined "Hague tribunal to assess Ukrainian authorities' activities" says that the State Duma intends to file a lawsuit to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, seeking punishment for the Ukrainian authorities for unleashing a civil war in the country and the genocide of Ukrainians; pp 1, 3 (982 words).

2. Yelena Teslova article headlined "Schools and higher education institutions to teach fight against corruption" says that a program to teach the population to combat corruption will be developed by 2015; pp 1, 4 (486 words).

3. Yegor Sozayev-Guriyev article headlined "Vladimir Putin invited to 70th anniversary of allies' landing" says that Putin will pay a working visit to France in early June; pp 1-2 (368 words).

4. Vladimir Zykov article headlined "Roskomnadzor to computerize search for filthy language" says that the Roskomnadzor media watchdog has begun to test a system of automatic monitoring of online media outlets for swearing in articles and commentaries; p 1 (497 words).

5. Anastasia Alexeyevskikh article headlined "Russians withdraw 63 billion rubles from foreign banks' subsidiaries" says that the anti-Russian sanctions introduced by the West have triggered the outflow of funds from foreign banks operating in Russia; pp 1, 4 (985 words).

6. Dmitry Runkevich and Yelena Malai article headlined "They suggest prohibiting state reserves in dollars" says that State Duma lawmaker Yevgeny Fedorov is working on a bill regulating the use of foreign currencies depending on political risks. The bill is being drafted in response to the anti-Russian sanctions introduced by the West, the article says; p 2 (532 words).

7. Irina Nenasheva article headlined "Head of Yandex.Ukraine resigns as general director" says that the head of the Ukrainian branch of the Russian search engine Yandex, who has openly backed the Right Sector's actions in Odessa, has decided not to remain the public face of Yandex.Ukraine and has gone on leave for an indefinite period; p 5 (393 words).

8. Alexei Krivoruchek article headlined "First domestic Mistral loses Syracuse" says that the first of two helicopter carriers of the Mistral class, being built in France for Russia, will be equipped with the Russia-made satellite communications system Tsentavr instead of the French satellite communications system Syracuse; p 6 (429 words).

9. Tatyana Baykova article headlined "Russia to offer UN to delay election in Ukraine" says that the Russian Public Chamber intends to ask the United Nations and the Council of Europe to postpone the May 25 presidential election in Ukraine until the situation normalizes there; p 8 (387 words).

Rossiiskaya Gazeta

1. Roman Markelov article headlined "First May ones" says that the Central Bank has revoked licenses of two Moscow banks: Atlas Bank and First Republican Bank; pp 1-2 (635 words).

2. Sergei Ptichkin article headlined "They lose their wits" says that Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has been outraged by the Kalashnikov concern's high-priced tenders for services to create the company's brand and set up the company's website; p 3 (819 words).

3. Leonid Radzikhovsky article headlined "China entices" looks at Russian-Chinese relations, which have recently begun to improve given Russia's standoff with the West over Ukraine; p 3 (809 words).

4. Vladislav Rilsky report "'Spring storm' begins in Estonia" looks at a military exercise in Estonia. NATO has decided to frighten Russia in the Baltic region, article says; p 8 (600 words).

5. Petr Likhomanov article headlined "Anti-terror operation or what?" says that the Ukrainian authorities have resumed the "anti-terror" operation in the country's southeast, though have admitted that it is facing certain problems because many local people and law enforcers are backing "separatists"; p 8 (491 words).

6. Yury Snegirev report "Front on doorstep" looks at the situation in Ukraine's Slovyansk; pp 1, 8 (1,100 words).

7. Igor Dumayevsky report "How Americans looked for Russians" comments on an article in The New York Times about the situation in Ukraine and says that U.S. journalists have not found Russians among people's militia in the southeast of the country; p 9 (350 words).

8. Igor Dumayevsky report "Has ambassador recovered his sight?" says that the U.S. has no proof that Russia is involved in the tragedy in Ukraine's Odessa; p 9 (200 words).

Moskovsky Komsomolets

1. Mikhail Rostovsky report "How we can avoid becoming Ukraine" looks at the situation in Ukraine and says that every effort should be made to prevent the bloody chaos in Ukraine from engulfing our country; pp 1-2 (550 words).

2. Ignat Kalinin report "Not step forward!" looks at the reason why Russia should not bring troops into Ukraine; pp 1-2 (500 words).

3. Svetlana Samodelova report "Crimean holidays" features correspondent's report on her trip to Crimea; pp 1, 5 (1,500 words).

4. Yelena Gamayun report "Southeast on fire" says that some 20 people have been killed in Ukraine's Donetsk region over the last few days; p 2 (400 words).

5. Mikhail Zubov et al. report "Tanks will rumble in Donetsk region" says that there have been calls on Putin to provide supporters of federalization in Ukraine with heavy armaments and features experts' comments on the issue; p 2 (800 words).

6. Marina Perevozkina report "From Maidan to Maidanek" looks at what has happened in Odessa on 2 May where more than 40 people have been killed; p 3 (700 words).

RBK Daily

1. Tatyana Aleshkina and Siranush Sharoyan article headlined "Who stands behind First Republican [Bank]" says that the Central Bank has revoked the license of the Moscow-based First Republican Bank for high-risk lending practices. Businessmen and political analyst Gagik Balayan was an informal controller of the bank, the article says; pp 1, 7 (612 words).

2. Alexander Artemyev article headlined "'Prosecutors have already begun to visit Crimean Tatars" says that the fact that the former leader of the Crimean Tatar Majlis was denied entry to Crimea has caused a conflict between the pro-Russian Crimean authorities and Crimean Tatars. The Crimean prosecutor's office has threatened to disband the Majlis, which, for its part, has warned that it will go underground; pp 1-2 (780 words).

3. Mikhail Rubin et al. article headlined "Teacher from state" points out that about 50 politicians, officials, top judges and top managers of state-run banks and media outlets hold concurrently senior positions at Russia's leading higher education universities and institutes; p 2 (765 words).

4. Ivan Petrov article headlined "Russian guard has no place in Europe" says that officers from the Federal Protection Service have been banned from visiting 108 foreign countries, which have extradition agreements signed with the U.S.; p 2 (562 words).

5. Yelena Malysheva article headlined "Time to calculate debts" says that the Audit Chamber has suggested monitoring state-run companies' foreign debts; p 3 (407 words).

6. Timofei Dzyadko article headlined "Transneft cuts off Ukraine" says that the Russian pipeline company Transneft has suspended diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine and Hungary over a legal dispute; p 6 (372 words).

Komsomolskaya Pravda

1. Alexander Gamov article headlined "Putin calls Kobzon at Komsomolskaya Pravda" says that President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly called the author and asked him to speak to singer and presenter Iosif Kobzon, who hosts a show on Komsomolskaya Pravda's television channel. The article features a transcript of their brief conversation; pp 1-2 (600 words).

2. Dmitry Smirnov article headlined "Report on Ukraine mayhem presented to president" briefly talks about a report by the Russian Foreign Ministry on violations of human rights in Ukraine, called "the white paper", which has been presented to President Putin; p 3 (200 words).

3. Yelena Krivyakina article headlined "State Duma speaker Sergei Naryshkin: they are trying to lay the blame for aggressors' actions on the victims" briefly covers a Russian parliamentary delegation's visit to Serbia; p 3 (150 words).

4. Alexander Kots and Dmitry Steshin article headlined "Junta storming Slovyansk again" covers recent clashes near east Ukraine's Slovyansk; p 4 (500 words).

5.Nigina Beoryeva article headlined "They forced us into building and set it on fire" gives an eyewitness account of the Trade Union House fire in Odessa on 2 May; p 5 (550 words).

6.Igor Svetly and Alexander Grishin article headlined "Odessa slaughter: scenario written in Kiev" argues that the May 2 Odessa fire was pre-mediated and pins the blame on the Ukrainian authorities; p 6 (2,700 words).

7. Sergei Semushkin article headlined "Maidan cutthroats announce reward for British journalist's head" says that Ukraine's Right Sector is paying $10,000 to anyone who brings them RT stringer cameraman Graham Phillips; p 9 (100 words).

Tvoi Den

1. Anton Stepanov article headlined "Slovyansk drowned in blood" says that Ukrainian troops opened fire on civilians over the course of their counter-terrorist operation in Slovyansk; pp 1-3 (100 words).

2.Alexei Titov article headlined "Worse than animals" says that pro-Ukrainian activists "finished off the people jumping out of burning the Trade Union building with bats and crowbars during the May 2 fire in Odessa; p 2 (100 words).

BBC Monitoring / ©BBC