Russian President Dmitry Medvedev listens to questions during a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen (unseen) during their joint press conference in Copenhagen on April 28, 2010.SOEREN STEFFEN/AFP / Getty Images
Kesterton's Russia
- Last year, Russia surpassed Saudi Arabia as the world's leading oil producer, with production of slightly more than 10 million barrels a day.
- The number of dollar billionaires in Russia puts it in third place among nations. However, rich Russians do not see their children's future in the country; 84 per cent of big businessmen keep their money outside the country, mostly in Cyprus, Switzerland and the Virgin Islands.
- Only 13 per cent of the population is "middle class." Some 86 per cent of Russians lack funds to purchase ordinary household appliances.
- Alcohol abuse is notoriously widespread. Russian men and women today have a combined life expectancy of 66, about 14 years below the life expectancy of those in the European Union. The finance ministry has proposed a tax hike on strong alcoholic drinks which would lead to a doubling of the price in 2012.
- Under both czar and commissar, Russian history includes famines, purges, pogroms, show trials, death camps, censorship, the subjugation of ethnic minorities and three continent-wide wars - the Napoleonic war and the world wars - that left the country devastated. History is still contentious and influences everyday life. A recent Russian aphorism is: "These days we live in a country with an unpredictable past."
Culture
Top cultural exports: Ballet, classical music, literature, philosophy
Food: Borshch, vodka, pancakes or blini with caviar, smoked sturgeon or salmon, dumplings
Notable Canadian relation: Michael Ignatieff (his father was born in Russia). Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005; Alex Shnaider, businessman
Speed Limit: 120 kilometres an hour
National pastimes: Chess, soccer, hockey
Politics
President: Dmitry Medvedev
- Age: 44
- Elected: March 2, 2008
- Party: United Russia
- Legislature: Bicameral, elected Duma, appointed Federation Council
- Political System: Semi-presidential
Background: Mr. Medvedev is a lawyer who has also held posts as deputy prime minister.
Considered fiercely loyal to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Mr. Medvedev was one of Mr. Putin's most trusted advisers. He was Mr. Putin's chief of staff when he was president. and served as his adviser when he was deputy mayor of St. Petersburg in the 1990s. He is also a former chairman of Gazprom, the state-controled energy company.
Mr. Medvedev has previously called for a world currency, saying at last year's G8 summit in Italy: "I think it's a good sign that we understand how interdependent we are."
G20 goals: Russia's recent entry into the World Trade Organization will likely open up discussions about global trade with other countries.
Economy
Gross Domestic Product: $1.6-trillion
Jobless rate: 8.2%
Gross government debt (as a percentage of GDP)
- 2000: 59.9
- 2009: 9.0
- 2015 (projected): 13.0
Sources: Bloomberg, IMF
NATION PROFILES
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