Statements of Support (2003-2013) / Sokolov, Sergei

“Why, actually, did Khodorkovsky begin his battle against corruption at that famous meeting with Putin? He says it was because he could not guarantee the financial transparency of his company if, somewhere, in one of Yukos’ more remote subsidiaries, someone bribed the fire inspector. It would become known, there would be a public row, and I would lose an enormous amount of money, said Khodorkovsky. I would not be able to hold an IPO, engage in leasing – I would be unable to do anything.

Corruption has indeed become a gigantic problem for all major Russian companies wanting to find a place on the world market. Consequently, it has also become a big problem for Western companies that would like to establish themselves in Russian markets”

Sergei Sokolov, Senior Editor at Novaya Gazeta, Radio Liberty, May 7, 2010