Mr Lieven was surprisingly dismissive of the suggestion that VV might perhaps be the richest man in Europe (and maybe, just maybe, in the world) at yesterday's Global Strategy Forum.  The point was picked up upon by Tony Brenton - former British Ambassador to Russia - who concurred with the view that corruption is not just a byproduct of the regime but in fact its 'raison d'etre'.

Why is the esteemed Mr Lieven so reluctant to accept the point or entertain the suggestion?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1573354/40bn-Putin-is-now-Europes-richest-man.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/dec/21/russia.topstories3