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In September 2003, Anatoly Chubais caused an outcry after introducing the concept of “liberal imperialism,” effectively saying Russia would regain its influence in the former Soviet Union through corporate investment. The phrase might have been provocative, but Russian oil companies undertook downstream investment in oil refineries and gas stations, pursuing vertical integration. Russia’s metallurgical companies and retail chains carried out horizontal integration, doing on a larger scale what they did so well at home. Consumer and mobile phone companies extended their successful business models abroad.
From a Moscow Times article by Anders Aslund analyzing how Russia may be altering its near abroad policy to focus on economic integration with its neighbors. However, Aslund doesn't mention to the reader that Russia still relied on tough action, like shutting off gas to Ukraine in 2009, to remind its neighbors who has the upper hand. Also, while Aslund notes Russia did not directly intervene in the recent presidential election, Yanukovych and Tymoshenko had a better disposition to Russia than Yushchenko. Yushchenko was one his way out so there was no need to act in that election.
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