When the global financial crisis struck Russia in 2008, Mr Luzhkov was the first to argue for bringing back regional elections-something that most Russians want and the Kremlin fears.

当2008年全球金融危机席卷俄罗斯时，卢日科夫第一个主张回到地区选举——大部分俄罗斯人想要，而克里姆林宫害怕的事。

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Moreover Russia's continued intransigence on Syria, says Robert Malley of the International Crisis Group, has value merely by giving the Kremlin a central part in resolving the crisis.

ECONOMIST: Russia and America

President Yeltsin is returning from holiday to the Kremlin after sacking his government, as political and economic crisis deepens in Russia.

BBC: All change at the Kremlin

As Mr Medvedev's letter to Mr Yushchenko shows, he fits in with the Kremlin's policy of confrontation and the search for enemies, particularly at times of crisis.

ECONOMIST: Russia's political leaders