Putin's Climate Envoy Resigns Amid Russia's Assault on Ukraine

Anatoly Chubais, the architect of Russia's post-communist privatization, has resigned as Vladimir Putin's special climate envoy, leaving the Kremlin since Russia's war on Ukraine began. Chubais had been widely reviled in Russia for his role in the economic turbulence during Boris Yeltsin's presidency in the 1990s, including the infamous loans-for-shares scheme that privatized valuable state assets to a small clique of oligarchs on the cheap. His resignation comes a month into Russia's assault on Ukraine, amid signs that the advance of Putin's forces has stalled.

Key Takeaways:

• Anatoly Chubais, Russia's special climate envoy, has resigned from his position, effective immediately.
• Chubais is the most senior figure to leave a government post since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
• Chubais's resignation comes amid controversy over his role in Russia's economic turbulence in the 1990s, including the loans-for-shares scheme.
• Chubais was widely reviled in Russia for his part in the economic crisis, and was criticized for his role in the privatization of state assets.
• Chubais's resignation is expected to increase tensions between Russia and the West, particularly in the lead-up to the EU's meeting on deeper sanctions against Moscow.
• The Caspian Pipeline Consortium has halted oil exports from a key pipeline on the Black Sea coast, citing storm damage.
• Nato leaders are preparing to send equipment to Ukraine to defend against chemical and nuclear threats.
• The alliance is also expected to agree to providing Ukraine with additional support, including equipment to protect against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.

Statistics:

• Russia's war on Ukraine has been ongoing for 6 weeks, with a significant portion of the conflict occurring since the advance of Putin's forces stalled.
• Ukraine has received significant support from its Western allies, with Nato leaders announcing plans to send equipment to defend against chemical and nuclear threats.
• The Caspian Pipeline Consortium has halted oil exports from a key pipeline on the Black Sea coast, with no estimated time for the pipeline to resume operations.
• Western leaders are preparing to discuss deeper sanctions against Moscow in the wake of Chubais's resignation and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Sources:

• Financial Times: Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, confirmed Chubais's resignation and cited no reason for his departure.
• Kommersant: Russian newspaper claimed Chubais was in Istanbul and published a photograph of him withdrawing money from a cash machine.
• Bloomberg: First reported Chubais's resignation from his position as climate envoy.
• Nato: Jens Stoltenberg, Nato's secretary-general, announced plans to provide Ukraine with additional support, including equipment to protect against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
• Caspian Pipeline Consortium: Nikolay Gorban, CPC's chief executive, cited storm damage for the halt in oil exports.