Support The Moscow Times!
Contribute today

Articles by Georgy Bovt

opinion Georgy Bovt

Why Moscow’s Untouchable Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, Is Doomed to Be Re-Elected (Op-ed)

The Kremlin has sidelined an opposition already incapacitated by infighting.
opinion Georgy Bovt

West and Russia Must Cooperate on More Than Terrorism (Op-Ed)

With terrorism now the most likely cause of the plane crash that occurred over the Sinai, the authorities have halted all air service between Russia...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Rooting Out Corruption Can Be Murder (Op-Ed)

Putin alone has the right to stay and who goes, and not because this one stole or didn't steal, but because that's how it's done in the battle between...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Putin's Tactical Gambles Are Paying Off (Op-Ed)

Moscow has not abandoned its Novorossia project, but consolidated its victories there and launched its own reset, creating the New Syria project, writes...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Svetlana Alexievich – Champion of Freedom (Op-Ed)

It is very timely that a Russian-language Slavic author who writes that the "Russian world" is standing at the threshold of the deepest crisis of its...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Prioritizing Foreign Agenda Is Mistake for Russia (Op-Ed)

Russia is increasingly focused on its foreign policy, at the expense of its domestic agenda, writes columnist Georgy Bovt.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Will Putin Exchange Donbass for Syria? (Op-Ed)

Columnist Georgy Bovt asks if Syria will become a second Afghanistan for Russia.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Will Data Law Isolate Russia Further? (Op-Ed)

If Russia decides to enforce its law on personal data, the Kremlin will have only succeeded in further isolating the country from the rest of the...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Bulldozing Brie Won't Spark Unrest in Russia (Op-Ed)

While a majority of Russians don't back the destruction of sanctioned food, this will not lead to active protests, writes columnist Georgy Bovt.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Will Russia's Brain Drain Dry Up? (Op-Ed)

Russia's brain drain will soon dry up, simply because there won't be anybody left in Russia able to work in the West, writes columnist Georgy Bovt.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Why Russia Opposed the MH17 Tribunal (Op-Ed)

Russia's decision to reject the proposal for an international tribunal into the MH17 disaster is a complicated one, writes columnist Georgy Bovt.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Duma Recess Won't Stop Russia's Absurdity (Op-Ed)

It seems as if the Russian authorities are all looking for some sort of coveted envelope with the words "Open in case of emergency" written on it...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Russia's Sham Democracy Is Fooling Nobody

The authorities have bumped up State Duma elections from December to September 2016 as nonchalantly as if they were merely doing a routine oil change...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Russia's Increasingly Absurd Laws Benefit Nobody (Op-Ed)

More ill-considered legislation from the Duma — this time on alcohol content — will cause headaches and expense for struggling Russian businesses...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Will Moscow Allow Polygamy in Chechnya?

Chechnya's recent polygamy scandal has caused a stir in Russia's federal center, but there's very little that it can do in reality, writes columnist...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Russia's Morality Police Are on the Warpath

Many recent social and political scandals in Russia have been connected in one way or another with charges of "insulting" the feelings or beliefs...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Ukraine Is Attempting to Wipe Away Its Past

Ukraine has begun its 'de-Sovietization' campaign in earnest, but this looks suspiciously like a cynical political ploy, writes columnist Georgy Bovt...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Rumors Swirl in Moscow, But Kremlin Is Silent

From Nemtsov's murder to Putin's unexplained disappearance, these are strange times we are living in, writes columnist Georgy Bovt.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Counting the Cost of Boris Nemtsov's Death

The murder of Boris Nemtsov takes Russian society one step further down the dangerous path that it started with the conflict in Ukraine, writes columnist...
opinion Georgy Bovt

No Peace for Ukraine Without U.S.

Any attempts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine are doomed without the participation of the U.S., writes columnist Georgy Bovt.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Forget Minsk Protocol, Ukraine Needs New Deal

It's time to face facts that the Minsk Protocol has failed to bring peace in Ukraine and that new solutions are needed, writes columnist Georgy Bovt...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Why Putin Isn't Worrying About the Ruble

Despite Russia's ongoing currency crisis, it is unlikely that the situation will lead to civil unrest or dissatisfaction with Putin, writes columnist...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Cracks Are Showing in Russia's Customs Union

Cracks have been showing in the Russian-led Customs Union, which doesn't bode well for the Eurasian Economic Union, due to come into effect on Jan...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Putin Is Inspired by Russian Empire

Putin recently unveiled a monument to Emperor Alexander I, whose reign of reforms followed by repression is similar to Putin's, writes columnist Georgy...
opinion Georgy Bovt

The Plight of the Russian Taxpayer

Contrary to popular belief, the tax burden in Russia is a heavy one, and it is only going to get heavier, writes columnist Georgy Bovt.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Russia Has No Plan for the Future

Russia's vision for its future must include more than merely fighting internal and external enemies, writes columnist Georgy Bovt.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Who Will Rule Russia Tomorrow?

Russia currently has no system in place for recruiting a new, qualified ruling elite, which means that the country will inevitably run into problems...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Russia's Isolation Wastes Precious Resources

Russia's crusade to isolate itself from the outside world will waste precious time, money and resources, as the example of the Soviet Union shows...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Russia Makes Truces With the West, Not Peace

With the Ukraine crisis, Russia can at last drop the facade that it's part of Europe, and Europe can finally stop pretending it agrees, writes columnist...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Reality in Ukraine Obscured by Propaganda War

Misinformation and propaganda are muddying the reality of the situation in Ukraine, and with neither side willing to compromise,no end is in sight...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Russia Is Trapped In 1991

Having failed to find an acceptable national idea immediately after the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia and its citizens are now trying to find...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Moscow Needs a Plan B in Ukraine

Russia lacks a back-up plan for Ukraine, which means that the situation will continue to move along the most dangerous path, writes columnist Georgy...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Russians Will Back Putin, No Matter the Cost

The more pressure the international community applies, the stronger anti-Western sentiment will become and the higher Putin's ratings will climb, writes...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Duma Isolates Russians With Online Iron Curtain


A new law forcing foreign internet companies to relocate their data storage to Russia endangers civil liberties and damages relations with the West,...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Only a Ruthless Leader Can Save Ukraine Now

A trade war is inevitable, and Ukraine stands to suffer significant losses as a result.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Putin's Saber-Rattling Goes Quiet on Ukraine

Putin has dropped the ultra-patriotic hyperbole that justified Crimea's annexation when speaking about eastern Ukraine, but Russian are unlikely to call...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Ukraine Needs a Firm Hand to Stay Afloat

Although Poroshenko's election shows that Ukrainians want unity and peace, that will be difficult to achieve given anti-Russian sentiment, a divided parliament...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Russians' Own Iron Curtain – in Their Heads

Russians are often uneasy with opinions that challenge their provincial world view.
opinion Georgy Bovt

The Geneva Respite

The Geneva agreement might have offerred a slight relief, but it did not generate serious hopes for resolving the crisis in Ukraine.
opinion Georgy Bovt

The High Price of Crimea

Russia should consider turning Crimea into a large free economic zone. If successful, Crimea could become for Russia what Hong Kong and Macau are for China...
opinion Georgy Bovt

The West's Misdirected Sanctions Against Russia

As a rule, sanctions never stop a tyrant and his inner circle but only bring hardships to ordinary people.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Crimea Is Turning Russia Into a Rogue State

Putin's worldview was shaped by his Soviet education, KGB training and numerous conflicts with the West over the past decade - particularly concerning...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Ukraine Is a Step Away From War

The events in Ukraine are unfolding faster than the media can report them. As I predicted back in November, impeached Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Nothing to Stop the Pain

There are cruel and unnecessary bureaucratic restrictions on doctors' ability to prescribe strong painkillers to terminally ill Russian patients. As...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Scaring Russians With Ukraine

The Kremlin can tell Russians that if the country never had a strong leader like Putin, Russia, too, would be run over by anarchists and extremists...
opinion Georgy Bovt

FSB Confused Over Terrorism

The FSB argues that terrorists cannot achieve their goal of terrorizing the public if nobody hears about their attacks. But society must hold the FSB...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Operation Khodorkovsky

The way in which President Vladimir Putin pardoned former Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky resembled an Alfa special forces operation.
opinion Georgy Bovt

The Kremlin's New Chief Propagandist

The appointment of Dmitry Kiselyov, known for his inflammable anti-Western views, to head a new state-owned news agency suggests that the Kremlin's...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Yanukovych's Russian Gambit

Yanukovych is engaged in a risky game, attempting to balance the pro-European sentiment in western Ukraine with the pro-Russian mood in the east...
opinion Georgy Bovt

On the Path to a State Ideology

Ever more frequently, the authorities are saying that the country needs some type of "state ideology" similar to the one that existed during the Soviet...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Useless War on Migrants

The problem of illegal migrants cannot be solved by crude, televised public raids. They only stoke nationalist sentiments and increase the cost of bribes...
opinion Georgy Bovt

How Russia Lost Ukraine

Even the Kremlin's most generous trade perks can't keep Kiev from choosing Europe over Russia.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Putin's War on Greenpeace

All 30 crew members of the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise, including the Russian photographer on board, have been formally charged with piracy and could...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Returning Nationality to Passports Is a Bad Idea

The drive to once again include citizens' nationality in Russian passports will only add fuel to the fire of Russian nationalists.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Going From Cool to Cold Relations

Not only are U.S.-Russian relations at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War, but personal relations between the leaders of both countries...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Why Navalny Wasn't Removed

Some members of the Kremlin elite want Sobyanin to win in the first round, but with only a slim margin. If Navalny gets roughly 20 percent of the...
opinion Georgy Bovt

More Boring Elections

Apart from the Moscow mayoral race, opposition candidate have been removed from the regional elections that will be held on Sept. 8.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Something Really Went Wrong in Navalny Case

The verdict against opposition leader Alexei Navalny was completely predictable. Just like the court case against former Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Snowden, Russia's Unwelcome Guest

Russian authorities probably wish they had slapped handcuffs on Snowden when he first landed at Sheremetyevo Airport and put him on the next flight...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Attack on Mayor Has Kremlin Traces

Although some United Russia leaders reportedly warned against filing charges against the popular Yaroslavl mayor, it seems that the Kremlin dismissed...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Rosneft's Chinese Oil Card

Rosneft will help the Kremlin finally realize its dream of selling lots of oil to China and reduce its dependence on energy exports to the West.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Sobyanin's Early Election Stunt

The discontent over Sobyanin's poorly conceived projects might increase, and the Kremlin wants to avoid disgruntled Muscovites from turning the mayoral...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Why Guriev Chose Paris Over Krasnokamensk

The state's attack on Guriev was also an attack on Skolkovo and several other organizations with close ties to Medvedev.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Surkov Out, Technocrat In

In contrast to Surkov, Sergei Prikhodko knows his role and will never conduct an independent political game of intrigue.
opinion Georgy Bovt

After Surkov

The hard-liners who replaced Surkov have focused on supporting conservative family values and the Russian Orthodox Church, while at the same time stoking...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Traces of Russia in Boston Bombing

The FBI's soft treatment toward the Tsarnaev brothers may be part of a broader U.S. policy of treating Chechen insurgents as "freedom fighters" who...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Why Navalny Will Be Jailed

Navalny's trial begins next week, and he will likely get 10 years in prison.
opinion Georgy Bovt

China's Favorite Junior Partner

Strangely enough, Moscow doesn't seem to have a problem with being China's junior partner and pretends that the bilateral relations are equal and based...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Russia Put All of Its Eggs in Chavez's Basket

Now that Chavez is gone, the one factor that has always worked against Russia — its lack of technological innovation — will play an even larger role...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Petty Squabbles Punctuated by Hysteria

Even as John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov meet, it is difficult to believe the sincerity of Russian claims that it is able to conduct meaningful talks...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Back to Stalin's Soviet Union

The Kremlin's glorification of the Soviet past is a risky strategy. It encourages people to compare Stalin to Putin, and this comparison does not...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Kremlin's Populism Won't Boost GDP

Behind the Kremlin's thick cloud of populism and demagoguery, there is not even a hint of a strategy for developing the country.
opinion Georgy Bovt

The Propiska Sends Russia Back to the U.S.S.R.

The Russian word propiska is difficult to translate into any foreign language because the practice of requiring residence permits of its own citizens...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Where the Opposition Stands One Year On

Instead of doing the necessary organizational legwork, the opposition became distracted with holding a series of headline-grabbing street rallies...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Slaves From Head to Toe

As Putin said several weeks ago, this is not 1937. But remnants of that fear so deeply instilled in the Russian psyche remain to this day.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Putin's Corruption Show Must Go On


Putin is content with Band-Aid PR campaigns that occasionally remove corrupt officials, knowing full well that the replacement will likely behave no...
opinion Georgy Bovt

The Reset Has Run Out of Gas

There will be no continuation of the "reset" under the new Obama administration. Obama will likely become less tolerant of Russia's anti-U.S. rhetoric...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Opposition's Coordination Council Is Pointless

The council needs to define its mission. Otherwise, all of its activities are meaningless, and it is doomed to fail.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Don't Wait for a Ivanishvili Thaw With Russia

Many Georgians would also like to see improved relations with Russia, but the practical implementation of these steps will largely depend on how Tbilisi...
opinion Georgy Bovt

A Pyrrhic Victory Over USAID

The Kremlin can celebrate its victory. Without USAID, it will be able to slow down, or even stop, the development of many important civil-society initiatives...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Whether Obama or Romney, the Reset Is Dead

An increase in anti-Western attitudes by the Russian government does not bode well for U.S.-Russia relations, even if Barack Obama is re-elected U.S. president...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Khimki Is a Litmus Test for Opposition

Putin can’t force society to accept the use of force just to preserve his hold on power.
opinion Georgy Bovt

When Modest Deputies Live in Mansions

United Russia has broken a record for the number of bills proposed during the summer recess. Usually we don't hear a word from deputies during the entire...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Why Putin Wants to Punish Pussy Riot

The behavior of the authorities seems irrational. Why are they making an initially absurd scandal even more ridiculous?
opinion Georgy Bovt

A Harmful Law Against the Internet

Lawmakers packaged a law creating an Internet censor as a protection against child pornography, pedophilia and sites that propagandize terrorism and drug...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Why I Trust Foreign Agents More Than the State

It is inconceivable for the Kremlin that a foreign sponsor would spend money on an organization in Russia out of purely philanthropic motives —...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Media Don't See the Forest for the Truth

Imagine if the director of the FBI, livid at a journalist over the publication of an incriminating article, invites him to a forest and threatens...
opinion Georgy Bovt

BP's Good Divorce Better Than a Bad Marriage

“By announcing its readiness to leave the partnership with TNK, BP has showed how fed up it is with the problems of working in Russia’s difficult business...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Spinning Medvedev's Government

Were this 2008 and not 2012 — and had Dmitry Medvedev been named prime minister without having first served a full term as president — then the composition...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Putin Uses Judo to Keep the Opposition Down

As Vladimir Putin began his new term as president, he clearly demonstrated that he values continuity and stability above all else — at least, according...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Why Presidential Filters Are No Longer Needed

In the wake of protests in December and February, the authorities made concessions to the opposition by announcing a host of political reforms...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Kremlin Will Pay Dearly for Viktor Bout

The Russian government has probably never gone to such great lengths to defend a citizen who ran into trouble abroad as it has for arms dealer Viktor...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Criminalizing Homosexuality

Russian authorities have begun targeting their wrath at homosexuals.
opinion Georgy Bovt

Direct Elections Directed by Moscow

Soon after the protests in December, President Dmitry Medvedev introduced a series of bills to the State Duma designed to liberalize elections. Foremost...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Majority Rules in the Duma

Initial results on Sunday evening indicated that United Russia would come in with about 47 percent or 48 percent of the vote. By 1 a.m., it had topped...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Two Heads Are Better Than One

Russian business is just as scared of the state and government officials as it is dependent on them. Businesspeople in most countries are careful to avoid...
opinion Georgy Bovt

Putin’s Vertical Power Disaster

In a snapshot of what Vladimir Putin and the "power vertical" did ― and didn't do ― for a nation suffering from raging fires, an opposition politician...