Russian oil barons step up battle for Putin's favour
* Rosneft's Sechin says Transneft tariffs «not transparent»
* Analyst says Sechin's increasing clout worries Kremlin
* Putin can't afford rift between backers after protest wave
By Vladimir Soldatkin
Two Russian oil barons have escalated a battle for influence in the lucrative energy sector by writing to President Vladimir Putin to complain about each other's policies, spotlighting a deepening rift between some members of his inner circle.
This turf war risks upsetting Putin since the president can ill-afford open squabbling among heavyweight supporters as he seeks to reassert a tight grip on power following major street protests against him in late 2011 and 2012.
(
Читать дальше )