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Mikhail Khodorkovsky
40quotes
Mikhail Khodorkovsky
A Russian Businessman and Politician
Full Name and Common Aliases
Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky is commonly known as Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on June 26, 1963. Still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Russian, businessman, politician, investor.
Early Life and Background
Mikhail Khodorkovsky was born in Moscow, Russia to Boris and Marina Khodorkovsky. His family was part of the Soviet intelligentsia, with his father working as a physicist at the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy. After graduating from school, Mikhail attended Moscow State University where he studied economics.
Major Accomplishments
Khodorkovsky's business career began in the early 1990s when he worked for Ivan Frolov's oil trading company, Menatep. In 1993, he founded Yukos Oil Company with a group of investors. Under his leadership, Yukos became one of Russia's largest and most profitable oil companies. He also invested in other sectors, including banking, telecommunications, and real estate.
Notable Works or Actions
Khodorkovsky's business model was based on the principle of "oligarch capitalism," where a small group of wealthy individuals controlled large portions of the economy. However, his success drew the attention of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who saw him as a threat to state control over the economy.
In 2003, Khodorkovsky was arrested and charged with tax evasion and money laundering. He spent several years in prison before being released in 2010 on compassionate grounds due to health reasons. After his release, he settled in Switzerland and began advocating for human rights and freedom of speech in Russia.
Impact and Legacy
Khodorkovsky's case became a symbol of the struggle between Russian oligarchs and the government. His imprisonment was seen as an attempt by Putin to consolidate power and control over the economy. Khodorkovsky's actions also drew international attention, with many criticizing the Russian government for human rights abuses.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Khodorkovsky is widely quoted and remembered due to his significant contributions to Russia's economic development in the 1990s. He was a pioneer of private entrepreneurship and invested heavily in modernizing the country's oil industry. His imprisonment and subsequent release also made him an international symbol of resistance against authoritarian regimes.
As a businessman, Khodorkovsky's vision for Russia's economy was based on principles of transparency and accountability. He believed that private enterprise could drive growth and innovation, but only if given the freedom to operate without interference from the government.
Today, Mikhail Khodorkovsky continues to be a prominent voice in Russian politics and economics. His advocacy for human rights and democracy has inspired many Russians to demand greater freedoms and accountability from their leaders.
Quotes by Mikhail Khodorkovsky
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I knew President Yeltsin well. He would never have tolerated government officials demonstratively showing off the millions they acquired through corruption, the way it’s done today.
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What’s important to me now is to uphold my good name and achieve a fair court decision – the past cannot be recovered anyway.
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The right to private property meant at the same time the right and duty to be personally concerned about your own well-being, to be personally concerned about your family’s income, to be personally concerned about your future. This is hard work.
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Russia on its path has oftentimes discussed and overdiscussed what had happened earlier, instead of moving forward. The result is always the same: It is very difficult to move forward when you’re looking backward.
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The right to private property meant at the same time the right and duty to be personally concerned about your own well-being, to be personally concerned about your family's income, to be personally concerned about your future. This is hard work.
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Today, a skilled manager makes more than the owner. And owners fight each other to get the skilled managers.
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The structure of the company is constantly changing. The composition of the necessary working groups is constantly changing. We have many divisions that are based on the project principle, which means that they are put together for each project.
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Putin doesn't need Donbass (east Ukraine). He wants to determine the fate of the world at talks with a U.S. President, putin is dreaming of getting a deal with the United States about a new-old order for the world, when the world is split on zone of influence. When you cannot interfere in someone else's zone. Not even to mention internal politics.
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I knew President Yeltsin well. He would never have tolerated government officials demonstratively showing off the millions they acquired through corruption, the way it's done today.
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