The story was always about how this played out for BP rather than the implications for Russia Inc.
In addition, they say the Russian deal collapsed mainly because of the financial turmoil in Russia rather than congressional and public pressure.
However, the fall in prices may be driven mostly by expectations of increased supply, especially from Russia, rather than of falling demand.
He has flown for treatment abroad (to Acapulco, it is said) rather than face prosecutors' questions in Russia.
But the fact that Russia and the West are talking, rather than rattling sabres at each other, must disappoint those in Belgrade still hoping that Russia will switch from passive to active support of the Serb cause.
ECONOMIST: Bombs over Belgrade, diplomatic as well as military
So far, the accusations that he is an isolationist do not ring true: his campaign statements ring with the phrases of international engagement, and he might well engage China and Russia rather more vigorously than some might like.
The Irish were already at odds with Fifa over the late decision to seed the play-offs, which meant they could only be drawn against France, Portugal, Russia or Greece, rather than fellow second-place qualifiers Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia or Ukraine.
The fact that Russia eventually agreed to help rather than hinder the West in Yugoslavia probably says more about its financial dependence (on soft western loans) than about Mr Talbott's cunning, patience or literary sensitivities.
Despite its apparent extremism, the parliamentary faction of Mr Zhirinovsky's Liberal Democratic Party of Russia often votes with, rather than against, the Yeltsin government, and Mr Zhirinovsky's public statements, invariably laced with dark humour, sometimes verge on self-parody.
Though careful to say that Britain has its problems, too, he advised Russia about how it might thrive, rather than simply sticking to the side of the relationship that he controls, such as the basis on which Britain is open for business for Russian firms.
ECONOMIST: A tricky diplomatic assignment for the prime minister
The Desire 600 picks up the same dual front-facing speaker setup of the One, although rather than a global appearance, it's currently headed to Russia, Ukraine and the Middle-East for now, landing early this June in white and black options.
Mr Sarkozy, who returned France to NATO's integrated military command last year, argues that Russia needs to be treated as a partner rather than a threat, especially if the West wants its help over such matters as Iran's nuclear programme.
Polish historical sensitivies about Russia mean that many see the coincidence as sinister rather than tragic.
ECONOMIST: Poland's President Lech Kaczynski dies in a plane crash
Most of the incoming investment, it is true, has been of the twitchier portfolio variety rather than the more stable direct kind, and how much stays in Russia surely depends on oil prices.
Indeed rather than a dramatically overvalued ruble, which is what would happen if Russia were suffering from Dutch Disease, the most dramatic threat facing Russia in 2012 is that, as global growth retreats and prices for natural resources decline, the value of the ruble will stumble even further and require costly Central Bank interventions to prevent a panicky devaluation.
But Russia is being asked to help bailout out Europe, rather than the other way around.
France, Germany and Russia staunchly opposed the war, arguing for more weapons inspections rather than an invasion.
Russia's offensive could be aimed at threatening Mr Lukashenka rather than deposing him.
ECONOMIST: A media war of words breaks out between two supposed allies
So far, Russia has been a stumbling-block to western policy in Yugoslavia rather than a threat.
If distorted competitive conditions, rather than bad corporate governance and no proper banking system, are a main cause of Russia's plight, this should come as no surprise.
Komsomolskaya Pravda is Russia's best-selling paper with an emphasis on news rather than analysis, but in its way it has provided a fresh insight by concentrating on the style of the campaign.
Russia would probably rather have a negotiated cap on America's missile defences than no limits at all.
But Russia would much rather sell those resources at a huge profit on international markets than use them domestically.
Rather than going on new high-tech aircraft and ships, the money will be spent keeping Russia's nuclear arsenal safe and usable, and upgrading basic infantry kit such as radios and body armour.
Even quite sensible Russian politicians fear that the West's interest is to keep Russia as a place to extract minerals from and sell consumer goods to, rather than helping it become an industrial or agricultural power.
In the end, Mr Lukashenka and Russia's president, Boris Yeltsin, settled, once again, for symbol rather than substance.
So rather than paying over half his income to the French government, he has the opportunity to live in Russia and pay 15 percent to them.
And some of them genuinely suggested the fact that the game was being played in Russia would make it so much sweeter when they lift the trophy on Wednesday night rather than their opponents.
Moreover, about 80% of the fish processed is imported from countries such as Russia, which implies that the processors would just have to slim down a bit rather than close if the Scottish fleet is forced to tie up.
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