Valentina Matviyenko, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former governor of St.

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St Petersburg's popularity is down to its ice-free port, rail links and well-educated workforce and the can-do approach of the governor, Valentina Matviyenko, Russia's leading female politician.

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St Petersburg owes its popularity to its ice-free port, good rail links and well-educated workforce, as well as the can-do approach of the governor, Valentina Matviyenko, who has promised to turn the city into Russia's Detroit.

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