Change of heart
The week's news at a glance.
Moscow
Jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky reversed his long-standing criticism of Russia’s president this week in an article in the weekly Vedomosti. Writing from prison, Khodorkovsky said that Vladimir Putin was, if not a true democrat, at least more liberal than most Russians. “Regardless of whether we like Vladimir Putin or not, it is time to realize that the head of state is not just a person,” he said. “We have to reject senseless attempts to undermine the president.” Analysts said the commentary appeared to be an attempt to curry favor with Putin ahead of Khodorkovsky’s trial. The tycoon was arrested for alleged tax evasion in October, after he gave money to a political party that opposed the president.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Sudan, tackling homelessness and fake news
Podcast What is happening in Sudan? Could London really end rough sleeping? And why has Joe Lycett being making up stories?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Taylor Swift's surprise double album: an event of 'world-shaking proportions'
Why Everyone's Talking About Fans are 'reeling' after The Tortured Poets Department is followed by The Anthology – 15 additional tracks
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published