This book addresses how the progress of the Russian aluminium industry, which has developed into an important global actor, has been influenced by the interaction of global market forces and the evolution of the Russian political system. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian aluminium producers needed to adapt to changing framework conditions, both with regards to the global aluminium market and in Russia. Examining the most important changes in the organization of the global aluminium trade ¿ the reorganization and consolidation of Russian aluminium industry and its ¿oligarchization¿ ¿ Godzimirski charts the evolution of the relationship between political and economic power in Russia, and the impact that this development has had on survival and adaptation strategies of key aluminium players in the country.

Jakub M. Godzimirski is Research Professor at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) in Oslo, Norway. He has been working on Russian foreign and security policy issues at NUPI for more than 20 years, paying special attention to the role of energy resources in Russian grand strategy. His current research focuses on developments in Eastern Europe and post-Soviet space, including economy, security and foreign policy and migration and diaspora related questions.

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Basics of the Global Aluminium Market.- Chapter 3. Soviet and Russian Aluminium until 2000 in Brief.- Chapter 4. National Consolidation 2000-2007.- Chapter 5. Global Consolidation and Challenges 2007-2016.- Chapter 6. Intermezzo, or: Regional Aluminium Games.- Chapter 7. Capture of the Russian State Under Yeltsin?.- Chapter 8. Return of the State under Putin.- Chapter 9. Masters of the Russian Aluminium Roulette.- Chapter 10. Conclusions.