Publication

This commentary argues that legislation Russia passed in December 2013 to restrict Gazprom's monopoly in gas exports does not necessarily demonstrate that the country has liberalized its economic system. The author says that this is demonstrated by the limited scope of the law and the small number of those who will benefit from the regulations. The author also says that while the changes were motivated by the interests of Gazprom's competitors, they were also a response to processes taking place in global regional markets and that they are beneficial for the Russian state.