https://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion The Moscow Times offers everything you need to know about Russia: Breaking news, top stories, business, analysis, opinion, multimedia en-us Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:54:32 +0300 600 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/21/russias-green-party-helps-putin-more-than-the-environment-a93756 Russian liberals tempted to vote for a party that styles itself on eco-activism would be a shock — not that the Russian Greens ever stood a chance. Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:45:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/21/russias-green-party-helps-putin-more-than-the-environment-a93756 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/18/russia-has-a-labor-shortage-so-why-cant-anyone-find-a-job-a93713 Russia’s official unemployment rate of 2.3% should indicate a severe shortage of workers. But workers themselves tell a different story. Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:34:16 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/18/russia-has-a-labor-shortage-so-why-cant-anyone-find-a-job-a93713 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/17/russian-businessmans-wedding-gift-shows-that-moscow-hasnt-given-up-on-a-trump-backchannel-a93735 What is most astonishing is that the Kremlin actually believed that Umar Kremlev's bankrolling of Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding would pay off. Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:14:36 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/17/russian-businessmans-wedding-gift-shows-that-moscow-hasnt-given-up-on-a-trump-backchannel-a93735 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/16/im-proud-that-we-published-the-syutkins-columns-a93721 The Moscow Times’ publisher explains how a leading ambassador for Russian cuisine became an enemy of the Russian state. Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:17:47 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/16/im-proud-that-we-published-the-syutkins-columns-a93721 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/15/my-case-is-unquestionably-political-russian-culinary-historian-pavel-syutkin-on-his-prosecution-a93716 Syutkin, a longtime food columnist for The Moscow Times, describes the criminal case against him in his own words. Tue, 15 Sep 2026 17:38:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/15/my-case-is-unquestionably-political-russian-culinary-historian-pavel-syutkin-on-his-prosecution-a93716 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/14/russias-opposition-wants-you-to-vote-against-united-russia-thats-where-its-strategy-ends-a93704 Building lasting political power takes more than telling people which box to check on the ballot. Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:18:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/14/russias-opposition-wants-you-to-vote-against-united-russia-thats-where-its-strategy-ends-a93704 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/11/putin-does-not-need-an-economic-revolution-yet-a93687 Despite mounting economic pressure, a radical shift to a “mobilization economy” is less likely than it may seem. Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:43:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/11/putin-does-not-need-an-economic-revolution-yet-a93687 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/10/belgiums-golden-goose-is-keeping-billions-from-ukraine-a93661 Europe can use Russia’s frozen billions to fund Ukraine without seizing them. So why hasn’t it? Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:09:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/10/belgiums-golden-goose-is-keeping-billions-from-ukraine-a93661 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/09/vostok-oils-first-tanker-cannot-conceal-rosnefts-empty-promises-a93665 Putin touts Vostok Oil as one of the world’s largest oil projects. After years of broken promises from Rosneft, the numbers still don’t add up. Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:14:57 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/09/vostok-oils-first-tanker-cannot-conceal-rosnefts-empty-promises-a93665 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/04/the-echr-has-abandoned-russians-who-are-victims-of-their-own-government-a93639 The ECHR's decision to scrap almost 900 cases brought by Russians against their government will enable human rights abusers globally. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:56:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/04/the-echr-has-abandoned-russians-who-are-victims-of-their-own-government-a93639 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/04/the-tate-brothers-have-a-russia-problem-they-could-be-in-big-trouble-a93632 The Tate brothers’ Russia trip has officials wondering where pro-Kremlin speech ends and undeclared foreign influence begins. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 13:15:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/04/the-tate-brothers-have-a-russia-problem-they-could-be-in-big-trouble-a93632 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/01/how-russia-developed-the-first-killer-ai-drone-despite-struggling-in-the-ai-race-a93618 Russian AI has little chance of overtaking China or the United States. But the Russian tech community is changing the nature of war. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:45:52 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/01/how-russia-developed-the-first-killer-ai-drone-despite-struggling-in-the-ai-race-a93618 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/31/russias-economic-doomsayers-were-wrong-so-were-the-optimists-a93608 Neither Kremlin loyalists nor independent analysts consistently saw what was coming. The question is what they make of what comes next. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:32:48 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/31/russias-economic-doomsayers-were-wrong-so-were-the-optimists-a93608 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/for-russians-in-exile-germanys-new-intelligence-hotline-is-worth-using-a93587 Russians have learned not to trust the security services. But we should accept this offer of help to combat transnational repression. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:09:38 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/for-russians-in-exile-germanys-new-intelligence-hotline-is-worth-using-a93587 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/theres-a-better-way-to-measure-how-much-russians-support-putin-a93558 Most polls just measure the ability of Russians to pick the safest answer. But when questions are more open-ended, they are more skeptical. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:16:54 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/theres-a-better-way-to-measure-how-much-russians-support-putin-a93558 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/20/tear-down-the-wall-of-silence-around-negotiations-to-end-russia-ukraine-war-a93533 Confidentiality often helps diplomacy. But it also protects the parties from accountability rather than the talks from disruption. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:01:59 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/20/tear-down-the-wall-of-silence-around-negotiations-to-end-russia-ukraine-war-a93533 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/17/putin-revealed-his-true-intentions-with-japan-by-visiting-disputed-islands-a93511 The Russian president's visit to the Kuril Islands is a strategic blunder in Moscow's rarely straightforward relationship with Tokyo. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:55:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/17/putin-revealed-his-true-intentions-with-japan-by-visiting-disputed-islands-a93511 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/what-did-russias-opposition-do-when-yabloko-was-thrown-off-the-ballot-keep-fighting-itself-a93478 The exclusion of the anti-war Yabloko party from State Duma elections has become yet another catalyst for infighting among Russia's opposition. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 19:57:03 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/what-did-russias-opposition-do-when-yabloko-was-thrown-off-the-ballot-keep-fighting-itself-a93478 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/how-russias-obsession-with-economic-stability-made-it-weaker-a93482 For decades, Western observers thought Russia's economy was going from strength to strength. But it was creating its own weaknesses. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:02:12 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/how-russias-obsession-with-economic-stability-made-it-weaker-a93482 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/soviet-dissidents-understood-what-russias-exiled-opposition-has-forgotten-a93458 Russia's opposition appear uncomfortable with what defeating Russia and supporting Ukraine would mean. Their Soviet predecessors were more clear-eyed. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:08:12 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/soviet-dissidents-understood-what-russias-exiled-opposition-has-forgotten-a93458 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russias-state-duma-elections-are-for-show-but-theyre-still-worth-paying-attention-to-a93448 It's tempting to dismiss the need to pay attention to the elections this September. But if they weren't important, the Kremlin wouldn't hold them. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:41:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russias-state-duma-elections-are-for-show-but-theyre-still-worth-paying-attention-to-a93448 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/07/russias-exiled-opposition-wants-whats-best-for-europe-its-a-better-future-for-russia-too-a93435 If Europe wants to remain secure when Putin is gone, it needs to think about the very Russians it is building walls to keep out. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:11:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/07/russias-exiled-opposition-wants-whats-best-for-europe-its-a-better-future-for-russia-too-a93435 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/06/ukraine-cant-bomb-russians-into-opposing-putin-a93432 History shows that countries under attack are more likely to be galvanized than demoralized. That appears to be happening in Russia today. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:44:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/06/ukraine-cant-bomb-russians-into-opposing-putin-a93432 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/05/tokayevs-warning-to-putin-was-about-more-than-ukraine-a93420 Kazakhstan tries to balance relations with Russia and other major powers. But the economic risk of the war meant the president had to speak out. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 17:44:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/05/tokayevs-warning-to-putin-was-about-more-than-ukraine-a93420 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/04/spider-man-shows-the-folly-of-ukraines-cultural-boycott-a93408 Art is supposed to unite people. But even three seconds of music from a famously anti-war Russian singer was too much for Ukraine. Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:49:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/04/spider-man-shows-the-folly-of-ukraines-cultural-boycott-a93408 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/03/putin-can-learn-3-big-lessons-from-world-war-one-a93402 The war in Ukraine is often compared to the trenches and desolate landscapes of World War I. But there are political parallels, as well. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:32:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/03/putin-can-learn-3-big-lessons-from-world-war-one-a93402 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/31/when-corporate-culture-works-in-memory-of-derk-sauer-a93384 The Moscow Times' survival is primarily thanks to the professionalism and corporate culture that Derk fostered, publisher Alexander Gubsky writes. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:53:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/31/when-corporate-culture-works-in-memory-of-derk-sauer-a93384 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/30/when-us-russia-cooperation-worked-and-why-its-collapse-still-matters-a93377 Russian and American law enforcement regularly worked together to solve serious crimes. Without cooperation, instability will continue. Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:38:55 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/30/when-us-russia-cooperation-worked-and-why-its-collapse-still-matters-a93377 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/29/where-can-russia-find-more-money-for-war-a93371 Economists in Russia said on condition of anonymity that banks can only keep up their staring contest with the Finance Ministry for so long. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:04:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/29/where-can-russia-find-more-money-for-war-a93371 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/28/russian-propaganda-is-getting-worse-as-the-war-drags-on-a93358 Propagandists are out of ideas for how to convince Russians to fight for victory when their skies are filled with smoke from drone strikes. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:07:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/28/russian-propaganda-is-getting-worse-as-the-war-drags-on-a93358 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/24/washingtons-war-on-the-international-criminal-court-is-a-gift-to-the-kremlin-a93310 I watched Moscow dismiss international courts as politicized institutions interfering with national sovereignty. America learned the wrong lesson. Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:00:21 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/24/washingtons-war-on-the-international-criminal-court-is-a-gift-to-the-kremlin-a93310 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/23/moscow-shows-little-faith-in-the-potential-of-russian-children-a93326 From the Kremlin's perspective, every ruble spent educating a teenager who ends up unemployed — or an art historian — is a ruble not spent on the war. Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:42:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/23/moscow-shows-little-faith-in-the-potential-of-russian-children-a93326 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/21/is-clavicular-russias-next-useful-idiot-a93298 Like with the women of Paris and Tel Aviv, Clavicular will find that ordinary Russian women have no time for him. But Moscow may see an opportunity. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:20:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/21/is-clavicular-russias-next-useful-idiot-a93298 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/20/i-am-wanted-by-russia-the-consequences-follow-me-everywhere-a93289 Being convicted in absentia brings the most frightening part of your life into ordinary situations that should have nothing to do with politics. Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:50:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/20/i-am-wanted-by-russia-the-consequences-follow-me-everywhere-a93289 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/even-if-ukraine-doesnt-recapture-crimea-kyiv-has-damaged-russias-credibility-a93270 The annexation of Crimea was integral to the myth of strength Putin created. But recent months show how fragile that propaganda was. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:47:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/even-if-ukraine-doesnt-recapture-crimea-kyiv-has-damaged-russias-credibility-a93270 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/russias-gas-industry-is-dying-a-slow-but-occasionally-explosive-death-a93257 Sanctions lost Russia its biggest market for gas and threaten the industry's sustainability. That was a problem before the drone attacks started. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:46:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/russias-gas-industry-is-dying-a-slow-but-occasionally-explosive-death-a93257 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/russias-billionaires-face-a-dilemma-putin-threatens-and-protects-their-wealth-a93243 A controversial interview with Andrey Melnichenko in The Ecnonomist unwittingly illustrates why Russia's super-rich won't abandon Putin. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 17:29:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/russias-billionaires-face-a-dilemma-putin-threatens-and-protects-their-wealth-a93243 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/the-unbearable-triviality-of-canceling-a-russian-cartoon-a93218 The disproportionate outrage over an annoying Russian-made show for preschoolers makes a mockery of a serious war. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:21:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/the-unbearable-triviality-of-canceling-a-russian-cartoon-a93218 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/08/with-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia-russia-holds-a-poisoned-chalice-a93194 More than one Kremlin envoy overseeing the territories has lost their job after failing to deliver results. Will Sergei Kiriyenko be any different? Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:01:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/08/with-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia-russia-holds-a-poisoned-chalice-a93194 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/06/how-did-the-soviet-security-state-outlive-the-ussr-look-to-dzerzhinsky-for-clues-a93126 The ideas of the Cheka's founder still shape how many post-Soviet states wield power. Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:56:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/06/how-did-the-soviet-security-state-outlive-the-ussr-look-to-dzerzhinsky-for-clues-a93126 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/01/russias-stock-market-is-the-best-measure-of-russias-problems-the-signs-arent-good-a93139 Unlike a traditional poll, the stock market shows the real-time confidence of thousands of investors who aren't convinced by Putin's bluster. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:02:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/01/russias-stock-market-is-the-best-measure-of-russias-problems-the-signs-arent-good-a93139 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/30/how-russias-neighbors-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-the-bomb-a93134 Nuclear weapons don't make the world a better place. But in our region, their absence may make war more likely. Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/30/how-russias-neighbors-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-the-bomb-a93134 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/29/the-world-shouldnt-be-confused-when-russians-shrug-off-a-crisis-a93120 Too many Russia-watchers have their judgment colored by wishful thinking, leaving them surprised when Russians don't panic at the latest crisis. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:31:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/29/the-world-shouldnt-be-confused-when-russians-shrug-off-a-crisis-a93120 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/26/russia-helps-the-western-far-right-feel-at-home-a93112 It's easy to overlook how powerful it is when Russia welcomes in the Western far-right and makes them feel that they are not alone. Fri, 26 Jun 2026 21:57:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/26/russia-helps-the-western-far-right-feel-at-home-a93112 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/25/how-viktor-tsois-songs-became-anthems-of-protest-and-propaganda-in-putins-russia-a93098 Supporters and opponents of the Kremlin only agree on a few things — and the iconic status and emotional resonance of Kino’s music is one of them. Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/25/how-viktor-tsois-songs-became-anthems-of-protest-and-propaganda-in-putins-russia-a93098 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/24/why-does-putin-fiddle-while-russia-burns-thats-how-the-system-works-a93083 Prioritizing the security services over civilians and deflecting accountability are the product of a system built to protect those at the top. Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:54:33 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/24/why-does-putin-fiddle-while-russia-burns-thats-how-the-system-works-a93083 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/23/did-the-international-criminal-court-just-ease-restrictions-on-putin-a93078 It sounds like a capitulation, but allowing Putin to travel to hypothetical peace talks in Switzerland is necessary pragmatism for peace. Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:59:02 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/23/did-the-international-criminal-court-just-ease-restrictions-on-putin-a93078 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/22/europe-should-beat-russia-at-its-own-nationalization-game-a93072 In Ireland and Finland, businesses linked to Russian elites have slipped through the net of sanctions. Nationalizing them could be the solution. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:20:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/22/europe-should-beat-russia-at-its-own-nationalization-game-a93072 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/19/you-attacked-the-home-of-a-very-high-ranking-individual-in-britain-what-the-starmer-fires-reveal-about-russias-international-sabotage-campaign-a93056 The trial of two Ukrainian-born men recruited for "gig economy sabotage" gave valuable insights into how Russian handlers are refining their tactics. Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:32:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/19/you-attacked-the-home-of-a-very-high-ranking-individual-in-britain-what-the-starmer-fires-reveal-about-russias-international-sabotage-campaign-a93056 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/18/russias-fuel-shortages-are-manageable-but-the-kremlins-options-are-shrinking-a93046 Ukrainian drone strikes haven't caused a nationwide fuel crisis yet. But pressure on supply is accumulating rapidly. Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:14:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/18/russias-fuel-shortages-are-manageable-but-the-kremlins-options-are-shrinking-a93046