John Lloyd writes on the state of Russia

John Lloyd has written an article for Reuters (7 May) on the current state of Russia and the problems that it faces, specifically endemic corruption and a dependence on fossil fuels.

John writes, "The largest irony for the Russian president is that his greatest construction, the new Russian middle class, is at best skeptical of him and often hostile. His support hasn't fallen to the low levels endured by some of Europe's leaders - but polls show most people want him to leave office when his third term ends, in 2018. This middle class, many themselves tainted by corruption, nevertheless have become much more cosmopolitan, fearful for an economic-cum-political clash and dissatisfied by policies that now seem to be failing."

The full article can be read here.