As prime minister, Mr Fradkov, a former trade negotiator, was a study in obedience to Mr Putin.

ECONOMIST: Russia's government

Russia's financial markets reacted calmly to Mr Fradkov's appointment, with the main share index recovering quickly after an initial decline.

BBC: Analysis

Observers had expected Mr Fradkov to give way to one of the men Mr Putin has publicly groomed to take over.

ECONOMIST: Russia's government

However, Mr Fradkov, who most recently served as Russia's envoy to the European Union, is also seen as a skilled diplomat with a strong grounding in trade issues.

BBC: Analysis

Prime Minister MIKHAIL FRADKOV (Russia): (Through translator) We're trying to create a fair playing field for business in this country, but that's not always accepted by those who wish to have certain advantages and privileges.

NPR: Killing of Top Banker Rocks Official Moscow

At a meeting chaired by Russian President Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and high-level railroad officials in early April, the construction of a railroad stretching from the banks of Russia's Lena River to the Bering Strait was discussed at length, adding further evidence that Moscow sees the BST project as not only feasible, but inevitable.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The Bering Strait Tunnel Project