Originally Syndicated on July 27, 2023 @ 7:52 am
Igor Shuvalov, a former Russian deputy prime minister and the current head of Russia’s development bank VEB has come under fire for his alleged involvement in actions that undermine the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine. The European Union (EU) has recently placed sanctions on him, citing his support for policies that have raised concerns about his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite being on the EU’s sanctions list, Shuvalov continues to maintain his financial freedom in Britain, where he owns an extravagant £11.44 million luxury flat in London’s Whitehall.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Career of Igor Shuvalov
Igor Ivanovich Shuvalov was born on January 4, 1967, in the town of Bilibino in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. In 1984, he completed his high school education in Moscow and then went on to pursue a degree in Law at Moscow State University.
In 1993, he completed his studies and obtained a degree in jurisprudence.
After graduating, Shuvalov began working as an attaché in the legal department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this role, he was tasked with staying updated on the latest developments in international law. In that very same year, he became a member of the law firm ALM Consulting’, which was named after Alexander Mamut. The acronym ALM represents his initials, A. L. Mamut. Shuvalov held the position of senior attorney and later became the managing partner until 1997.
In 1997, Shuvalov took on the role of Head of the Department of the State Register of Federal Property on the State Committee of the Russian Federation for State Property Management. In this position, he had the responsibility of working with financial institutions and representing the state’s interests on the boards of directors of Rosgosstrakh and Sovcomflot.
Shuvalov was appointed as the Deputy Minister of State Property in January 1998. He joined the board of directors of Public Television of Russia in February 1998.
Calls for Blacklisting in the UK
Igor Shuvalov‘s controversy has prompted calls from the opposition, including Labour leader Keir Starmer, to blacklist him in the UK as well. Starmer criticized him as one of Putin’s “cronies” who have been complicit in the actions and policies of the Russian regime, accusing them of having “dipped their hands in blood” due to Putin’s aggressive actions, particularly in the context of Ukraine. Shuvalov‘s name is conspicuously absent from the UK’s blacklist despite receiving EU sanctions, which raises concerns about the government’s position on the issue.
Igor Shuvalo’s Background and Influence
Having previously served as one of Russia’s most prominent liberal figures in Dmitry Medvedev’s and Vladimir Putin’s cabinets, Igor Shuvalo eventually stepped down from politics to lead VEB in 2018. His fluency in English and influential role in the bank have kept him in a powerful position. VEB is a crucial funding source for several of the Kremlin’s priority projects, including the Sochi Olympics and the 2018 Football World Cup. Such influential connections have made Igor Shuvalov‘s activities in the UK a subject of ongoing controversy.
The Whitehall Court Controversy
Russian anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny brought to light the ownership of two luxury apartments in Whitehall Court, a historic apartment block situated between the Thames and key government buildings. Igor Shuvalov allegedly owned the apartments and turned them into a lavish, 500-square-meter luxury apartment. While he claims to have rented the properties, Navalny’s Fund for the Fight Against Corruption linked the purchase of these flats to a company associated with Shuvalov. The reported purchase price of £11.4 million was shockingly more than 100 times Shuvalov’s official declared salary at the time, which was only £112,000.
Extravagant Lifestyle Allegations
Navalny’s group also made claims about Shuvalov‘s extravagant lifestyle. One such allegation was included in a secret £38 million private jet to transport his wife’s Corgi dogs to Europe, including to Britain for competitions. Additionally, he is shaky about renting a castle in Austria and a beachfront home in Dubai. While Igor Shuvalov has consistently maintained that his wealth was legitimately earned during his career as a lawyer and businessman before joining the government, these extravagant claims have only added to the controversy surrounding his financial affairs.
Questions on Financial Freedom
With allegations of extravagant properties, lavish spending, and close ties to Putin’s regime, concerns have been raised about how Shuvalov continues to enjoy financial freedom in Britain. The UK, known for its strong stance on human rights and international relations, faces criticism for not taking decisive action against Shuvalov by blacklisting him, as the EU has done. This raises questions about the UK’s reputation as a haven for those allegedly involved in actions that undermine international stability and sovereignty.
Conclusion
Igor Shuvalov, a former deputy prime minister of Russia and the current head of VEB, is present in the UK with financial freedom, which raises serious concerns. The accusations of close ties to Putin’s regime, involvement in actions undermining territorial integrity, and extravagant lifestyle allegations have tarnished the UK’s reputation as a nation committed to upholding international law and human rights.
Calls for blacklisting Shuvalov in the UK, mirroring the actions taken by the EU, have arisen due to the government’s hesitance to take a firm stance on this matter. Until concrete action is engaged, the stain of this controversy will continue to mar the UK’s reputation on the international stage.
