Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 632: Playing with Fire_1

Chapter 632: Chapter 632: Playing with Fire_1

We’re so poor we can’t even pay salaries anymore.

Naturally, we must find a way to "generate income"!

Scratching it together, there are only a few industries that are still promising, energy being the most significant one.

So it is not surprising that someone wants to cut into the oil industry, or more specifically, the Yukos Group.

Put bluntly, if the Yukos Group is brought under control and nationalized, more than half of the country’s financial troubles would be solved!

Of course, the same old story, without a legitimate reason, it is difficult to cut into the Yukos Group.

After all, we live in a civilized society now; we need to be mindful of international public opinion and its impact.

However, within the permissible limits of the rules, choking the neck of the Yukos Group is not a difficult task.

Having understood this connection, Wang Ye smiled bitterly. It seems some things, even if I step in, remain unchanged.

The Kremlin does not necessarily want to quarrel with those oligarchs.

Their mutual irreconcilable conflict is not totally...

It’s not just about political differences, the key might be issues caused by economic problems.

No matter who sits on the throne of the Kremlin, if they want the government to avoid bankruptcy due to financial issues, they can only target those big oligarchs, because only they have enough money to solve government problems!

Who knows whose bright idea it was to "fleece the sheep" by canceling the Yukos Group’s export rights. Doing so almost takes away all of the Yukos Group’s profits.

The previously lucrative oil industry is now barely making a modest profit, just enough to break even.

Obviously, the Yukos Group won’t sit idly by, hence, the conflict between the two parties escalated...

Amongst all, Wang Ye may be the most distressed one.

He is caught in the middle, facing pressure from both sides.

From the perspective of Deputy Speaker Duma and Chairman of the Economic Committee, he should support the actions of the Ministry of Energy, because oil fields are the wealth of the entire nation. If the government redistributes the profits from extracting oil, a huge number of citizens will benefit. The move is to the nation’s advantage.

But from the position of being a major shareholder, permanent director, and the nephew of oligarch Khodorkovsky in the Yukos Group, this is outright robbery, it’s robbing of the rich decisions!

The reason Aleksey contacted Wang Ye to discuss this matter today is clearly because their relationship is good.

He wants to let Wang Ye be mentally prepared in advance, think of countermeasures, and not be caught off guard when the time comes.

......

After mulling over it for a while, Wang Ye finally asked: "Who is taking the lead in this matter?"

No smoke without fire, Wang Ye needs to first understand who is looking to move against the Yukos Group, then figure out how resolved they are in their decision, and only then can he come up with a corresponding solution.

Aleksey hesitated briefly then confessed: "It should be the first faction, but I am not sure about the exact person or persons instigating it."

"What does the Kremlin think about it?" Wang Ye queried further.

Above all else, Wang Ye is worried about the position of the Kremlin and whether they are truly determined to move against the Yukos Group.

If that’s the case, even if Wang Ye wants to help the Yukos Group, he will need to think it through thoroughly.

One misstep could lead to disastrous consequences!

Aleksey shook his head, "The matter is still under internal discussion, no one from the top has made any comments. Also, this issue may likely be submitted to the Duma for discussion, and your Economic Committee will take the lead. After all, it would be more authoritative coming from the Duma. In the worst-case scenario, we might take the administrative route, although that might be a bit less graceful."

Wang Ye understood his meaning.

After all, the Duma is the representative of the "public opinion"!

Decisions made by the Duma represent the opinions of the entire nation. Not only can private enterprises not rebel against it, but even the government and the Kremlin have to respect the Duma’s decisions in most cases.

If the Economic Committee directly discusses and issues new regulations to cancel the export rights of private energy enterprises, nationalizing all export services.

This would in effect, legally "strangle" private energy enterprises like the Yukos Group. They would be left with no room to argue or negotiate.

But obviously, within the Duma, energy giants like Yukos Group also have many "advocates".

As the interests are associated, issuing such rules will meet immense resistance!

Even one could say, trying to implement such rules might trigger a rebellion from most neutral congressmen, as it interferes with economic freedom.

That’s why Aleksey said they might take the administrative route if the Duma is obstructed.

Meaning the government could restrict or even cancel private energy companies’ export rights through administrative orders.

While effective, it may not necessarily get the Yukos Group to comply.

The issue could blow up, with the Yukos Group likely to resort to lawsuits. Then everybody would be publicly haggling over it, to see who ends up on top...

......

Wang Ye patted Aleksey on the shoulder, speaking with gratitude, "You’re in a tough position with this matter, I know it’s difficult for you. Push the matter towards the Duma first then, I’ll handle it. If it doesn’t work out, do what you need to do."

All in all, Aleksey is doing all of this today because of his relationship with Wang Ye.

That’s why he is communicating with Wang Ye in advance, letting him know about this matter, and giving him a chance to prepare mentally.

For Aleksey, what does it matter to him if Yukos Group lives or dies!

One could even say, if the Yukos Group is nationalized, he stands to benefit.

At that point, the Ministry of Energy would be very powerful, in control of both the oil and natural gas industries. No one could match their wealth!

However, Aleksey is a good friend of Wang Ye, and he understands that this matter is tricky for Wang Ye. That’s why he’s struggling, not wanting to upset Wang Ye over this matter.

If Aleksey were in Wang Ye’s shoes, he admittedly would not come up with a good solution to resolve this trouble.

He might have to let go one of the sides.

Of course, if it were up to him, he would definitely choose to let go of the Yukos Group.

After all, Wang Ye already has enough money, and the companies under his control that make a profit are not limited to the Yukos Group.

If he lets go of Yukos, or even contributes to fueling the situation, he could gain substantial political capital!

As long as he can hold on to the position of Vice Speaker and Chairman of the Economic Committee, won’t he have ample opportunities to make money in the future?

But Wang Ye is not Aleksey, how he will choose to act is currently unknown to everyone...