Expertise: Swiss history, politics and foreign policy of Switzerland, Germany and Russia, international diplomacy, business, Russian-Swiss political and cultural relations. Initials: IP
Born 1969, originally from Moscow. After two years in the army, studied history and sociology at the history faculty of Moscow University, then wrote a doctoral thesis in history there on the topic of German foreign policy under Gustav Stresemann. Worked as a diplomat for almost 11 years in Germany and Switzerland, and as a translator, interpreter and published writer. Speaks German and English. Has been head of the Russian section of SWI Swissinfo since 2012.
Russian media in Switzerland: A mix of propaganda and anti-regime critics
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Only a few Russian-language media exist in Switzerland. We looked at their position on Putin’s war and found a mixed bag.
Swiss recognition of former Soviet republics took 15 minutes
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Documents from 1991 show that Switzerland swiftly recognised the new countries emerging out of the former Soviet Union. Now it's more complicated.
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For years, prominent Russian journalist Dmitry Skorobutov covered domestic and international affairs for the major TV channel “Russia 1”. Today, he is a political exile in Switzerland. We speak with him for the SWI swissinfo.ch “Voices of Freedom” series.
Russian activists demand action on Nornickel spill
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The Nornickel oil spill has taken a heavy toll on indigenous communities living in Russia's Arctic. They say their way of life is at risk.
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On the centenary of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s birth, SWI swissinfo.ch examines the global appeal of the Swiss dramatist's 1956 play ‘The Visit’.
The ten most important dates in Switzerland’s history
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Today's Switzerland developed over several centuries, emerging out of a loose alliance of autonomous entities to become a federal state.
The road to proportional representation in Switzerland
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Here's how, in 1918, Switzerland made the historic decision to move to a proportional representation system at national level.
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How do you find a dream apartment in Switzerland? What do you need to know to get a lease and avoid making the biggest mistakes?
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Switzerland's president for 2017, Doris Leuthard, says her job is to give the people a feeling of security in a time of great uncertainty.
