Wikipedia

Ruben Vardanyan (politician)

For other people bearing this surname, see Vardanyan. For the wrestler, see Ruben Vardanyan (wrestler).

Ruben Karleni Vardanyan (Armenian: Ռուբեն Կառլենի Վարդանյան, Russian: Рубен Карленович Варданян; born 25 May 1968) is a Russian-Armenian oligarch,[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] former adviser to Vladimir Putin,[8][9][10] and a politician who served as the State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), an unrecognized state in the South Caucasus, from 4 November 2022 until 23 February 2023.[11][12][13] Vardanyan continued his support and work in Artsakh following his dismissal from the post of State Minister in 2023.[14] Vardanyan has engaged in efforts to promote economic and social advancement in Armenia and Republic of Artsakh, focusing on long-term development projects.

Ruben Vardanyan
Ռուբեն Վարդանյան
Vardanyan in 2022
4th State Minister of Artsakh
In office
4 November 2022 – 23 February 2023
PresidentArayik Harutyunyan
Preceded byArtak Beglaryan
Succeeded byGurgen Nersisyan
Personal details
Born (1968-05-25) 25 May 1968 (age 56)
Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union
NationalityArmenian, formerly Artsakhi
SpouseVeronika Zonabend
Children4
Alma materMoscow State University

Prior to his political career, Vardanyan was a businessman and philanthropist.[15] He is the former chief executive officer and shareholder of the Troika Dialog investment bank, which was the hearth of the Troika Laundromat.[16][17] In 2021, his net worth was estimated by Forbes at $1 billion.[18][17]

In September 2023, following the Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and subsequent flight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, Vardanyan was detained by Azerbaijani authorities in the Lachin corridor.[19] A number of internationally renowned public figures and organizations have called for the release of Vardanyan along with other former de facto Nagorno-Karabakh officials, considering his detention to be politically motivated or in violation of international laws.[20][21]

Early life and education

Ruben Vardanyan was born on 25 May 1968, in Yerevan, Armenian SSR. In 1985 he graduated with honours from Yerevan School No. 35. In 1985, he enrolled in Moscow State University's Faculty of Economics. After completing his first year, he did military service in Soviet Azerbaijan and Armenia. In 1992 he graduated with honours from the Faculty of Economics.[22][23]

Vardanyan was trained at Cassa di Risparmio di Torino Italian savings bank in Turin and completed a course on developing markets at Merrill Lynch in New York in 1992.[22][24] Later, he completed short-term courses at INSEAD (Fontainebleau, France, 2000), Harvard Business School (2001, 2005, 2018), Yale University and Stanford GSB (2012, 2013).[25]

Career

Business Activities (1999-2012)

Main article: Troika Dialog

Vardanyan and Peter Derby founded Troika Dialog on 18 March 1991. Vardanyan first worked as an expert and then headed the IPO department. In 1992, Vardanyan entered the executive board and became an executive director. As director of Troika Dialog, Vardanyan established relationships with Western investors and helped develop the legal framework and infrastructure for the Russian securities market.[26]

Vardanyan became CEO of Troika Dialog in 1996.[27] In the same year, Troika Dialog Asset Management (“TDAM”) was registered as the asset management arm of Troika Dialog which, in partnership with US-based Lexington Management Corporation, established the first mutual fund (the Lexington Troika Dialog Russia Fund) allowing US investors to participate in the Russian equity market.[28][27]

Later he became the president, CEO, and chairman of the board of directors of the company. He held the post until the company was sold.[22][29] In the early 2000s, Troika had offices in New York and London.[30] In 2004, Vardanyan was named as both Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in Russia and Investment Banker of the Year by the National Association of Securities Market Participants (“NAUFOR”).[31]

As of 2011, the partners held 63.6% of Troika Dialog shares, with 40% owned by Vardanyan. At financial year-end 2010, Troika’s assets totaled $5.75 bln, $872 mln equity and $42.346 mln revenue.[32][33] On March 11, 2011, Sberbank announced its 100% acquisition of Troika Dialog for $1 bln,[34] the transaction was finalized on January 23, 2012.[35] The agreement also included Troika's partners’ bonuses for three years, thus the overall deal totaled $1.4 bln. Before the sale, Vardanyan owned the major block of shares (40%), estimated at $560 mln. In requital, he was offered a 20.5% stake in AvtoVAZ and a 27.3% stake in Kamaz, later sold with a profit.

The merger resulted in the launch of Sberbank CIB (renamed from Troika Dialog), Sberbank’s corporate and investment banking business. Vardanyan had initially intended to sell his stake to Troika Dialog management before the Sberbank deal.[36][37] From the sale of "Troika Dialog" until 2015, Vardanyan co-headed Sberbank CIB, also holding posts of adviser to the CEO of Sberbank and chairman of the board.[25]

Vardanyan stepped down from his role at Sberbank CIB in 2015.[38]

By 2013, Forbes estimated Vardanyan's net worth at $800 mln.[33]

Business Activities (Post-2012)

After the sale, Vardanyan devoted a significant portion of the funds to philanthropic causes and long-term infrastructure projects like the Skolkovo Business School, which he had founded in 2006.[39]

In 2013 Vardanyan along with Mikhail Broitman started Vardanyan, Broitman and Co, an investment company.[40] As of 2018, Vardanyan owned 75% of the company.[41] Its assets include shares in Ameriabank, UFS Transport operator, and several venture projects (Lamoda, Pronutria, NtechLab). Major investments are placed in real estate management. In 2013 Vardanyan acquired a 50% share in Avica Management Company, an investment fund, established by Gagik Adibekyan's RD Group. In February 2018 the partners announced a split, dividing real estate assets of estimated $1 bln value. Accprding to the settlement, Vardanyan was to keep office spaces, including Romanov Dvor and Vozdvizhenka business centres. Also in 2018 Vardanyan and Global Blue announced the launch of Global Blue Russia, a first tax-refunding company in Russia.[42][43][44][40][45][46]

In 2015 Ruben Vardanyan launched "Phoenix Advisors", a company engaged in family welfare protection, management and succession planning.[40]

Vardanyan also co-founded the Future Armenian initiative, which contributes to a number of philanthropic ventures, with a focus on the promotion of entrepreneurship and in particular on the development of his home country, Armenia. He and the other founders have  contributed to around 700 projects in Armenia with a total investment of over $700 million.[47]

In 2020, the Anti-Corruption Foundation, a Russian NGO led by Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, published an investigation which concerned Santerna Holdings Limited, a company owned by Vardanyan.[48] Citing Santerna's publicly available annual reports, the investigation found that, in 2016, Santerna invested almost $33.45 million in Luchano, a spa business owned by Gulsina Minnikhanova, the wife of the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. The annual reports showed that Santerna's auditors applied a $26.8 million impairment charge shortly after the investment, reducing Santerna's stake in Luchano to $6.6 million. In 2018, Santerna made another investment of $10 million in Luchano. Months later, the same auditors applied another impairment charge, further bringing down the value of Santerna's investment, to $5 million. Based on this financial activity, whereby Santerna willingly overpaid twice, the Anti-Corruption Foundation asserted that Vardanyan's company made two disguised gifts, or bribes, to the wife of the President of Tatarstan. In the aftermath of both investments, investigative journalists found millions of dollars of luxury real estate owned by Minnikhanov's family.[49] Vardanyan denied these accusations.[50]

Corporate governance roles

In 2004, Vardanyan was CEO of Rosgosstrakh. He also headed Troika Dialog at the same time.[24][25] As of October 2019, Vardanyan is one of the members of board of directors at Kamaz, Ameriabank and Global Blue Russia Holdings B.V. He also is a member of the investment committee Avica Property Investors International, a member of the supervisory board at Investment and Venture Fund of the Republic of Tatarstan. Vardanyan is the chairman of the editorial committee international at BRICS Business Magazine.[51] He previously had served as an expert and executive member of advisory boards at Sollers JSC, AvtoVAZ, Sibur, Novatek, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company, Sheremetyevo International Airport, Rosgosstrakh, International Finance Corporation, Standard Bank, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Russian Trading System, Moscow Stock Exchange, the Federal Commission on Securities Market, the Depository Clearing Company, the National Association of Stock Market participants etc.[41][25] He also headed the National Association of Stock Market participants during 1997 and 1998.[25] Since 2000, Vardanyan has been a member of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) where he was one of the members of executive board till 2012. In 2009 he entered the Committee on Innovative Policy and Entrepreneurship.[25] Vardanyan was one of the co-founders of the 2015 Club, an informal Russian businessmen organization, that worked on strategic planning for the Russian economy up to 2015.[52] Since 2010 Vardanyan is a member of trustees at the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund. In 2015 he co-founded the Primakov Center for International Cooperation, currently Vardanyan is a member of its advisory board.[25] In 2019, Vardanyan was invited to join the executive board of Moscow-based ACRA rating agency.[53]

Move to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh

In June 2021, Vardanyan acquired Armenian citizenship.[54] He stated that he made his decision to move back to Armenia following the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War.[54] In the past, Vardanyan had denied any intention to take up any government position in Armenia; however, he was viewed as a potential political player and is rumored to be involved with the newly founded political party Country of Living.[55][15] In November 2021, Vardanyan gave an interview in which he spoke about his plans to start a political career in Armenia and also considered the possibility of becoming the president of Armenia.[56]

In September 2022, Vardanyan declared that he was moving to the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh (in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh) and announced that he was no longer a Russian citizen.[57] Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Vardanyan was named in a draft bill in the U.S. House of Representatives which called for him to be targeted for individual sanctions.[55][58] Vardanyan denied that his renunciation of Russian citizenship was an attempt to escape international sanctions against Russia.[57] In his words, his actions stemmed from a desire to be with his nation during a time of crisis: “Today the people of Artsakh are in a very difficult psychological state, they have no confidence in the future. The inhabitants of the republic, who survived two wars and lost their loved ones in the struggle for independence, feel abandoned,” he stated.[59]

Initially he was reluctant to take any political post, but a couple of month later, in October, Vardanyan was suddenly offered the position of State Minister, which was equivalent of prime minister,[17] with "broad powers" by President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan.[60][61] Harutyunyan appointed Vardanyan Minister of State on 4 November 2022.[62][15] Vardanyan submitted a request to Russian state authorities to annul his citizenship so that he could become a citizen of Artsakh, which was officially granted in December 2022.[59] Vardanyan was dismissed from the position of State Minister on 23 February 2023, having held office for less than four months.[12] Vardanyan’s dismissal was one of the key demands made by Azerbaijan for it to end its blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.[63] Prior to this, Vardanyan had rejected Azerbaijani demands that he leave the region.[64][12] Following his dismissal, Vardanyan vowed to continue living and working in Artsakh.[14]

Azerbaijan's 2023 offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and his detainment

See also: 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh

In September 2023, following the Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and subsequent flight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, Vardanyan was detained by Azerbaijani authorities in the Lachin corridor on charges of "financing terrorism, creating illegal armed formations and illegally crossing a state border".[19] A number of internationally renowned public figures and organizations have called for the release of Vardanyan along with other former de facto Nagorno-Karabakh officials, describing the charges as fabricated and considering his detention to be politically motivated or in violation of international laws.[20][21]

Following his arrest, Vardanyan’s wife was quoted as saying that “Ruben stood with the people of Artsakh, during the 10-month blockade and suffered with them in the struggle for survival. I ask for your prayers.”[65] US senator Ed Markey has stated that Vardanyan and several others have been illegally detained in violation of international laws.[66]

The court extended Vardanyan’s pre-trial detention by another four months in January 2024.[67] He then went on a hunger strike in April to demand a speedy trial,[68] but his family reported on 25 April 2024 that he ended it.[69] In June 2024, a team of international attorneys representing Vardanyan filed a complaint with the UN that Vardanyan had been tortured in the Azeri prison.[70]

Philanthropy and social entrepreneurship

 
Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO

Vardanyan through his philanthropic activities has been involved with Pushkin Museum council,[25] Russian National Orchestra and The American Russian Youth Orchestra.[25] He co-founded Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO and was its president from 2006 to 2011. As of 2019, Vardanyan holds is the vice-chairman at the Skolkovo advisory board.[71][72][25] Vardanyan also heads the supervisory board at Skolkovo Institute for Emerging Market Studies (SIEMS).[25] From 2000 till 2016, Vardanyan was a member of the university endowment supervisory board at Russian New Economic School, During 2008-09 he was one of the members of the advisory board.[25] He had previously held served in supervisory boards of Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (since 2014), MSU Faculty of Economics (2014-2017), international councils at Brazilian Fundação Dom Cabral' (since 2009), Japanese International Christian University (2011-2015), and GuangHua management school in China.[25]

 
United World College Dilijan

In 2013 Vardanyan, together with Veronika Zonabend and Partners, established UWC Dilijan College. The college is an international boarding school aimed at educating exceptionally talented youth, located in the Armenian city of Dilijan.[73][74][75][76]

In early 2000s Ruben Vardanyan and Noubar Afeyan initiated the Armenia 2020 project.[77] Vardanyan's philanthropic organization IDea Foundation undertakes the Tatev Revival Project that supports the restoration of Tatev Monastery in southern Armenia.[78][79][80] Vardanyan has supported other restoration initiatives, such as that of the Saint George's Church in Tbilisi in 2015.[81] Vardanyan was one of the benefactors of the Armenian Cathedral of Moscow, consecrated in 2017.[82] In May 2017 the restored Holy Mother of God Church was opened Mushkapat, Artsakh.[83] in 2019, the restoration of Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque in Shusha was supported by Vardanyan's Revival of Oriental Historical Heritage Foundation.[84]

In 2016 the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology was established jointly by Vardanyan, Noubar Afeyan, Fr. Mesrop Aramian and Artur Alaverdyan.[85] In 2014 Vardanyan also co-funded the prize money of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity jointly with Noubar Afeyan, and Vartan Gregorian.[86][87]

Ilya Shumanov, president of Transparency International Russia, accused Vardanyan in January 2024 of only pretending to be a philanthropist "rather than like someone who is taking money out of the bank and working with dubious, corrupt individuals who, as is now evident, are the ones who started this war."[15]

Controversies

Sanction by Ukraine

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Vardanyan was placed on the Ukrainian government's list of sanctioned people for his role as a board member of the Russian air cargo company Volga Dnepr, which plays a major role in Russian military air transport.[88][89][90][61] According to Kyiv, his commercial ventures "undermine or threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence."[61] He is wanted by the Ukrainian Secret Service (SSU).[91]

Troika laundromat

Main article: Troika laundromat

On 4 March 2019, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) published an investigation on the Troika Laundromat, reporting on its network of 76 offshore companies, facilitating around $4.6 bln.[30][92] Ruben Vardanyan was the head of Troika Dialog at the time.[93][94] He supposedly provided a loan to a business that was a part of the plan, according to one document that bears his signature, but the OCCRP claims there is no "definitive evidence" that he was aware of the fraud.[95]

According to Vardanyan, who was mentioned by the OCCRP, his bank didn't do anything improper, and was run similarly to other investment banks at the time. He did point out, however, that he "couldn't possibly know" about every transaction that his bank carried out on behalf of customers.[95] Lithuanian government prosecutors raised concerns about the bank's transfers being too lightly inspected. Data shows that shell company named Quantus sent nearly $500,000 to pay Vardanyan's credit card bills. Other than that, his wife and mother-in-law received 935,000 euros and 900,000 euros respectively.[93]

On March 14, 2019, 22 members of EU Parliament from 14 countries including Lithuania, Germany, UK, Belgium, Finland, Sweden and Poland wrote an open letter to Jean-Claude Juncker – president of the European Commission – asking that he take "appropriate measures" against Troika Dialog and Vardanyan.[96][97]

U.S. sanctions draft and alleged complicity with the Kremlin

 
Vardanyan and Putin at the ceremony to launch the construction of the Moscow School of Management

In January 2022, Ruben Vardanyan was listed as one of several individuals that the Biden administration was considering to place under sanctions in House Resolution 6422, formally known as the Putin Accountability Act.[98][55][58][15] The bill was never passed and has had no action since November 2022.[99]

Eight months later, Vardanyan renounced his Russian citizenship and moved to Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region. Some people suggested that that move was intended to avoid sanctions, but Vardanyan refuted this idea, saying “If sanctions were my concern, I'd choose Uruguay. It boasts wonderful weather, affordable cuisine, and excellent soccer. To suggest that sanctions prompted my move to Artsakh is to wildly misconstrue the situation.[61][57][15][100]

Other sources, in Azerbaijan, Armenia and elsewhere, including Brenda Shaffer, a lobbyist for Azerbaijan, suggested that he was sent by the Kremlin in order to disrupt peace talks[10][3][101][90][15] and bolster Russia's influence in the region.[102][1][103] Specifically, questions were raised about Vardanyan's ability to abandon his Russian citizenship so fast. The process takes 6 to 12 months for average individuals, and you have to gather a lot of paperwork.[15] He has close ties to Vladimir Putin.[93][3][103][10][90]

In some Armenian circles, Vardanyan was accused of and criticized for supposedly suggesting that Armenia be subjected to the Russian Federation in much the same way as the autonomous republic of Tatarstan. Vardanyan denied this, saying that rather "Pashinyan is doing so that the Republic of Armenia can become a part of Russia."[104][105][106]

Urge to remove Vardanyan from the Nobel Peace Prize list

In April 2024, the official representative office in Ukraine of the International Nobel Information Center sent an appeal to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, signed by 18 people's deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which contains a call to reject the candidacy of Russian billionaire Ruben Vardanyan as a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize.[107][108]

A little later, in May of the same year, the Parliamentary Group of the Romanian Parliament of the National Liberal Party called for Vardanian's withdrawal from the list of candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize, labeling him an "enemy of Ukraine" and "sponsor of Russian aggression in the post-Soviet territories".[109][110] At the same time, 12 other members of the Romanian House of Representatives, including Romanian MEP Cristian Terces, signed letters with similar appeals.[111][112][113]

On May 11 of the same year, a parliamentary majority of 71 members of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania signed a collective letter calling on the Nobel Committee to reject the candidacy of billionaire Ruben Vardanyan for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024 and any subsequent years.[114][115][116]

Personal life

Vardanyan is married to Veronika Zonabend who is of Jewish origin, but was baptized into the Armenian Apostolic Church.[117] Zonabend is the co-founder of the Armenian UWC Dilijan College. She also holds a post at the American University of Armenia advisory board. Zonabend is the head of the executive board at the Teach For Armenia Educational Foundation.[118] Vardanyan's elder sister Marine Ales is a composer and songwriter, a member of the Aurora Prize Creative Council, and co-founder of "Grant Life Armenia" charity fund.[119]

Awards

In 1999, Vardanyan was recognized as the Businessman of the Year by American Chamber of Commerce in Russia. For the subsequent couple of years he was named the "best business manager on Russia's capital market" by Career magazine. Ernst & Young recognized Vardanyan as the Entrepreneur of the Year in 2004. The National Association of Stock Market participants declared Vardanyan as the "investment banker of the year" in 2004 during the Stock market elite competition. Russian GQ nominated him as the "Man of the Year" as Best Entrepreneur in the year 2010.[120][25] In 2001 Fortune magazine included Vardanyan in its list of "25 Rising Stars of the New Generation". The same year, Vardanyan was included in the list of "100 Global Leaders of Tomorrow" at the World Economic Forum.[121][25]

Vardanyan was awarded the Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots by the President of Armenia in 2011, the Order of Saint Gregory the Illuminator by Armenian Church in 2013, and Order of Friendship by the president of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov in 2018. The same year, Vardanyan received the Academy of International Business Presidential Award for contribution to the development of education, and, with co-founder of the Aurora humanitarian initiative Noubar Afeyan, the Search for Common Ground prize to honor accomplishments in conflict resolution, negotiation, community building, and peace-building.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b Seddon, Max; Stognei, Anastasia (18 January 2023). "Oligarch defends role in disputed enclave as Russia struggles to retain influence". Financial Times. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Former Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian leader arrested amid mass exodus". POLITICO. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Whatley, Mat (12 May 2023). "Lasting Peace Between Armenia and Azerbaijan Will Reduce Russia's Influence". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  4. ^ Ebel, Francesca (27 September 2023). "Exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh: 'I never imagined we would ever leave'". The Washington Post.
  5. ^ Górecki, Wojciech (30 August 2023). "No special status, no Armenians? The prospects for Nagorno-Karabakh in a unitary Azerbaijan".
  6. ^ "Ruben Vardanyan: Was will der Oligarch in Berg-Karabach? - Echo der Zeit - SRF". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  7. ^ "What to Expect From the Azerbaijani–Armenian Peace Process in 2023". Jamestown. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  8. ^ "All Putin's Men: Secret Records Reveal Money Network Tied to Russian Leader - ICIJ". 3 April 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Panama Papers: Secret records reveal money network tied to Vladimir Putin". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Rapoza, Kenneth. "EU Worries Russia Will Try Thwarting Lucrative Gas Deal With Azerbaijan". Forbes. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Ruben Vardanyan appointed State Minister of Artsakh". armenpress.am. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  12. ^ a b c "Ruben Vardanyan dismissed from post of Artsakh State Minister". news.am. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  13. ^ "Official website of the President of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic". president.nkr.am. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Ruben Vardanyan speaks on contradictions with Artsakh President: No one should cross the red lines". news.am. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h "Как миллиардер Рубен Варданян сдал российский паспорт, уехал в Карабах и оказался в азербайджанской тюрьме". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). 10 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Рубен Варданян". Forbes.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  17. ^ a b c Service, RFE/RL's Russian. "De Facto Nagorno-Karabakh Leader Has Russian Citizenship Revoked". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  18. ^ ""Жизнь разделилась на до и после войны": Рубен Варданян о переезде в Арцах". Forbes.ru (in Russian). 5 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  19. ^ a b Ahmedbeyli, Samira (28 September 2023). "Azerbaijani court arrested Ruben Vardanyan". English Jamnews. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  20. ^ a b "'Modern-day saviors' protest arrest of Armenian leader". Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Statement on the Sentencing of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan in Azerbaijan". Lemkin Institute.
  22. ^ a b c "Официально" [It’s Official]. Kommersant—Ogoniok. 25 November 2013.
  23. ^ ""Мне в жизни невероятно повезло с менторами"" [I Got Incredibly Lucky With Mentors] (in Russian). Kommersant—Ogoniok. 25 November 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Избран председатель Совета директоров ОАО "Российская венчурная компания"" [Russian Venture Company Announces New Chairman of the Board of Directors] (in Russian). RBC. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Биография Рубена Варданяна" [Ruben Vardanyan: Bio] (in Russian). FinParty.ru. Archived from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  26. ^ Yeung, Brian (24 April 2020). "Why this banker gives away most of his wealth". Asia Times. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  27. ^ a b Vardanian, Ruben; Shekshnia, Stanislav V. (2001). "Troika Dialog's Founder Ruben Vardanian on Building Russia's First Investment Bank". The Academy of Management Executive (1993-2005). 15 (4): 16–23. ISSN 1079-5545.
  28. ^ "LEXINGTON FUNDS NOTICE AND PROXY". sec.gov. 19 June 2000.
  29. ^ Martov, V., Lisitsin, D. (2016). Мечта о "Тройке". Как самый необычный инвестбанк России стал национальным чемпионом [Dreaming about "Troika": How the Most Extraordinary Russian Investment Bank Became National Champion] (in Russian). Moscow: Mann, Ivanov & Ferber. p. 192. ISBN 978-5-00057-658-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ a b OCCRP Investigation (4 March 2019). "Кошелек российской элиты: Как устроена офшорная империя "Тройки Диалог"" [Russian Elite Finances: ‘Troika Dialog’ Offshore Empire] (in Russian). Meduza. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  31. ^ "RVC Board of Directors freed from officials". TAdviser.ru. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  32. ^ Asker-Zade, Nailya (9 March 2011). ""Тройка диалог" могла остаться без прибыли в 2010 г." ["Troika Dialog" Could Have Missed Its Profits in 2010]. Vedomosti (in Russian).
  33. ^ a b Zubova, H. (10 September 2013). "Как экс-владелец "Тройки Диалог" стал обладателем состояния в $800 млн" [Former "Troika Dialog" Partner Gets $800 Net Worth]. Forbes (in Russian). Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  34. ^ Asker-Zade, Nailya (11 March 2011). "Сбербанк объявил о покупке "Тройки диалог"" [Sberbank to Acquire "Troika Dialog"]. Vedomosti (in Russian).
  35. ^ "Сбербанк и Тройка Диалог закрыли сделку по объединению" [Sberbank and "Troika Dialog" to Finalize the Acquisition] (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 23 January 2012.
  36. ^ "Vardanyan to Quit Troika in 3 to 5 Years, Offer 40% Stake". The Moscow Times. 25 July 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  37. ^ "Russia's Sberbank to Buy Troika Dialog". WSJ. 11 March 2011.
  38. ^ "Ruben Vardanian". ArmenianBD. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  39. ^ "Ruben Vardanyan renounces Russian citizenship, moves to Artsakh". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  40. ^ a b c Verzhbitsky, A. (18 September 2015). "Жизнь после "Тройки": чем занимается Рубен Варданян" [Life After "Troika": What Does Ruben Vardanyan Do]. Forbes (in Russian).
  41. ^ a b Suvorova, N., Mudriy, S. (10 July 2018). "Бизнес-кодекс: Рубен Варданян, предприниматель, инвестбанкир и филантроп" [Business Code: Ruben Vardanyan, Entrepreneur, Investment Banker and Philanthropist] (in Russian). Inc.Russia.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  42. ^ Ischenko, N. (31 January 2018). "Global Blue и Рубен Варданян создадут оператора tax free в России". Vedomosti (in Russian).
  43. ^ Filatov, A. (9 February 2018). "Рубен Варданян делит недвижимость со своим партнером" [Ruben Vardanyan And Partner Separate Assets]. Vedomosti (in Russian).
  44. ^ "Короли российской недвижимости за год заработали на аренде более $8 млрд" [Russian Real Estate Kings to Earn $8 Bln per Year on Leasing]. Forbes (in Russian). 25 January 2018.
  45. ^ Vedomosti (4 February 2015). "Рубен Варданян займется перевозками нефти" [Ruben Vardanyan Starts Oil Freight Business]. Vedomosti (in Russian).
  46. ^ Yastrebova, S., Kantyshev, P. (22 March 2018). ""Дочка" "Ростеха" и фонд Рубена Варданяна вложились в технологию распознавания лиц" [Ruben Vardanyan Fund and Rostec Subsidiary to Invest Face Recognition Technologies]. Vedomosti (in Russian).{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  47. ^ ahmedbeyli, samira (16 May 2021). "'The Future Armenian' - an action plan to rebuild the country - JAMnews". English Jamnews. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  48. ^ "Взятки. Дворцы. Самолеты. За что продали народ Татарстана". Алексей Навальный. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  49. ^ "Relatives of Tatarstan's leader own millions of dollars in luxury real estate, anti-corruption activists reveal — Meduza". Meduza. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  50. ^ ""Это полная чушь": Варданян ответил на расследование фонда Навального о "взятке" семье президента Татарстана". Forbes.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  51. ^ "About — BRICS Business Magazine". www.bricsmagazine.com. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  52. ^ "Ротарианская гвардия" [The Rotarian Elite]. Kommersant (in Russian). 19 September 2005.
  53. ^ "Предприниматель Рубен Варданян принял предложение войти в совет директоров АКРА" [Businessman Ruben Vardanyan Accepts ACRA Executive Board Invitation] (in Russian). PRIME. 18 January 2019.
  54. ^ a b Ghazanchyan, Siranush (23 June 2021). "Ruben Vardanyan takes up Armenian citizenship". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 3 July 2021. Armenian businessman and philanthropist, Aurora Initiative co-founder Ruben Vardanyan has become a citizen of Armenia.
  55. ^ a b c Mejlumyan, Ani (5 September 2022). "Russian-Armenian billionaire to move to Nagorno-Karabakh". Eurasianet. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  56. ^ "Варданян допустил работу "хоть уборщиком, хоть президентом" Армении". РБК (in Russian). Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  57. ^ a b c Review, Eurasia (1 September 2022). "Russian Billionaire Renounces Citizenship, Will Move To Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh". Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  58. ^ a b Review, Eurasia (29 July 2022). "US Increasingly Concerned At Armenia As A Sanctions Buster – OpEd". Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  59. ^ a b "Путин лишил миллиардера Рубена Варданяна российского гражданства". РБК (in Russian). Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  60. ^ Shahverdyan, Lilit (5 October 2022). "Russian-Armenian billionaire to take on powerful role in Nagorno-Karabakh". Eurasianet. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  61. ^ a b c d Gavin, Gabriel (18 January 2023). "The Crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh Highlights Russia's Waning Global Influence". TIME. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  62. ^ Avetisyan, Ani (4 November 2022). "Billionaire Ruben Vardanyan to serve as Nagorno-Karabakh's State Minister". OC Media. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  63. ^ "Рубен Варданян освобожден от должности премьера Нагорного Карабаха". Коммерсантъ (in Russian). 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  64. ^ "Варданян отверг требование Азербайджана покинуть Нагорный Карабах". Коммерсантъ (in Russian). 25 December 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  65. ^ "Azerbaijan arrests Russian-Armenian billionaire fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh". ft.com. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  66. ^ "Azerbaijan (Executive Session); Congressional Record Vol. 170, No. 98". Congress.gov. 11 June 2024.
  67. ^ [1]
  68. ^ "A former Russian tycoon who once led separatist region launches a hunger strike in Azerbaijan jail". Associated Press. 19 April 2024.
  69. ^ "Ruben Vardanyan Said To End Hunger Strike In Azeri Jail". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  70. ^ "Ruben Vardanyan Was Tortured in Baku Prison, Legal Team Says". Asbarez.com. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  71. ^ "Рубен Варданян покинул пост президента московской школы управления "Сколково"" [Ruben Vardanyan Leaving Presidency at Moscow School of Management Skolkovo] (in Russian). newsarmenia.am.
  72. ^ "Глава "Тройки Диалог" ушел с поста президента "Сколково"" ["Troika Dialog" Head to Leave Skolkovo President Seat] (in Russian). Lenta.ru.
  73. ^ Zvezdina, A. (4 September 2017). "Школа цвета гор на закате" [The School of Dawn Mountains Colour]. Kommersant (in Russian).
  74. ^ Shiloh, M. (4 September 2017). "Как меценаты поддерживают образовательные проекты" [How Philanthropists Support Educational Initiatives]. Vedomosti (in Russian).
  75. ^ "Radius of Trust" // Forbes Life, №2, July 2013". 27 June 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  76. ^ Rashid, Brian. "United World College Dilijan: A Lens Into The Future Of Education". Forbes. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  77. ^ Antziperova, M. (12 October 2017). ""Модель процветания требует воли, амбиций и риска"" [This Success Model Demands Will, Ambition and Risk]. Forbes (in Russian).
  78. ^ Gabrielyan, H. (16 October 2015). ""Крылья Татева": Зачем Армении самая длинная канатная дорога в мире" [Wings of Tatev: Why Does Armenia Need World Longest Cableway?] (in Russian). RFI.
  79. ^ "Ruben Vardanian: "A model for prosperity requires will, ambition, and risks"". mediamax.am. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  80. ^ "Возрождение Татева" [Tatev Revival] (in Russian). IDEA. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  81. ^ "Սուրբ Գևորգի վերականգնումը թույլ կտա Վրաստանի հայկական համայնքին ավելի լիարժեք հոգևոր կյանքով ապրել" [Saint George's Church To Fulfill Spiritual Needs of Georgian Armenians] (in Armenian). Armenpress. 31 October 2015.
  82. ^ Korobov, P. (17 September 2013). "Армяне построили духовный центр в Москве" [Armenian Church Complex to Open in Moscow]. Kommersant (in Russian).
  83. ^ "Нагорный Карабах пользуется популярностью у туристов" [Nagorno-Karabakh Becomes Popular With Tourists] (in Russian). Regnum. 7 December 2017.
  84. ^ "Верхняя мечеть Шуши обрела вторую жизнь" [The Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque Is Revived] (in Russian). Golos Armenii. 15 October 2019.
  85. ^ "Запускается фонд FAST" [FAST Foundation Gets to Work] (in Russian). Mediamax. 12 April 2017.
  86. ^ Chernyh, A. (10 March 2015). "Рубен Варданян инвестировал в правозащиту. Российский бизнесмен учредил крупнейшую гуманитарную премию" [Ruben Vardanyan Invests in Human Rights. Russian Entrepreneur Founds Biggest Humanitarian Award]. Kommersant (in Russian).
  87. ^ Маргарита Фёдорова (29 May 2017). "Шарль Азнавур назвал лауреата Aurora Prize" [Charles Aznavour Announced New Aurora Prize Laureate]. Kommersant (in Russian).
  88. ^ "VARDANYAN Ruben Karlenovich". War & Sanctions. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  89. ^ "Under blockade, Armenians of Karabakh reopen issue of air travel". Eurasianet. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  90. ^ a b c Pop, Radu (17 June 2023). "Oligarhul Vardanyan, aliatul lui Putin în Caucaz, care este inclus în lista neagră de baza ucraineană " Myrotvorets"". Stiri pe surse (in Romanian). Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  91. ^ i24NEWS (30 September 2023). "Russia's Vladimir Putin's wallet: Who is Ruben Vardanyan? - analysis". I24news. Retrieved 1 October 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  92. ^ Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. "The Troika Laundromat". OCCRP. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  93. ^ a b c Garside, Juliette; Barr, Caelainn (4 March 2019). "Banking leak exposes Russian network with link to Prince Charles". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  94. ^ Fitzgibbon, Will (4 March 2019). "Troika Laundromat reveals Russian bank's $8.8b offshore scheme - ICIJ". Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  95. ^ a b Crosby, Alan (5 March 2019). "'Troika Laundromat' Accusations Cast Millionaire Vardanyan In New Light". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  96. ^ "Letter to President Juncker on the Troika Laundromat case – Gunnar Hökmark". 15 March 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  97. ^ Cerniauskas, Sarunas (14 March 2019). "EU Lawmakers Demand Sanctions Against Troika Laundromat Bankers". OCCRP. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  98. ^ "H.R.6422 - Putin Accountability Act". Congress GOV. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  99. ^ "H.R.6422 - Putin Accountability Act". congress.gov. November 2022.
  100. ^ "Oligarch defends role in disputed enclave as Russia struggles to retain influence". Financial Times. 19 September 2023. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  101. ^ Bugajski, Janusz. "Russia threatens the peace in the Caucasus". The Washington Times. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  102. ^ Dyulgerova, Nina (1 October 2023). "Ruben Vardanyan – Moscow's new tool for disruption the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan | ССBS - Самые важные новости Кавказа и каспийско-черноморского региона". ccbs.news. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  103. ^ a b Martin, Wes (8 January 2023). "Is Putin Preparing to Replace Armenia's Pro-Democracy Prime Minister With His Own, Un-Elected Oligarch?". townhall.com. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  104. ^ "Արցախում չհաջողած ու հրաժարական տված Վարդանյանն ու Թանդիլյանը այժմ էլ ուզում են "փոխել Երևանի ապագան"․ գուցե Թաթարստանի մայրաքաղաք Կազանի օրինակո՞վ". www.araratnews.am. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  105. ^ Nelly, Babayan (14 September 2023). ""Turning Armenia into Tatarstan was not my plan. I said that Pashinyan is doing so that RA can become a part of Russia. If it's going to happen, we must do everything to make it the lowest price:" Ruben Vardanyan". Aravot.
  106. ^ "Մոգոյի Մեսրոպի և Թաթար Ռուբոյի "Ապրելու երկիրը" ադրբեջանական սադրանքին զուգահեռ հայտարարությամբ է հանդես եկել". Civic (in Amharic). Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  107. ^ "Новини - каталог!". iinc.com.ua (in Ukrainian). 5 April 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  108. ^ "Депутати литовського Сейму закликали Нобелівський комітет відхилити кандидатуру Рубена Варданяна з числа номінантів на премію миру". www.unian.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  109. ^ "Grupul parlamentar PNL solicită retragerea unui candidat controversat la Premiul Nobel pentru Pace". Stiri pe surse (in Romanian). 2 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  110. ^ "Rumānijas parlamenta deputāti un Eiropas Padomes deputāts ir sašutuši par "Putina maka" izvirzīšanu Nobela Miera prēmijai". jauns.lv (in Latvian). 3 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  111. ^ "Sojusznik Kremla nominowany do Nagrody Nobla. Połowa litewskich posłów protestuje". Wprost (in Polish). 9 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  112. ^ "Deputații lituanieni au chemat Comitetul Nobel să respingă nominalizarea 'omului lui Putin' pentru premiul Nobel pentru Pace". Stiri pe surse (in Romanian). 10 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  113. ^ Chalenko, Igor (9 May 2024). "Lithuanian MPs oppose nomination of Kremlin's business partner for Nobel Peace Prize". The Sofia Globe. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  114. ^ "Lietuvas Seima deputāti protestē pret biznesa darboņa virzīšanu Nobela Miera prēmijai". LA.LV (in Latvian). Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  115. ^ "Seimas sukilo: V. Putino parankinis gali tapti kandidatu Nobelio taikos premijai gauti". www.alfa.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  116. ^ "Sojusznik Kremla nominowany do Nagrody Nobla. Połowa litewskich posłów protestuje". Wprost (in Polish). 9 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  117. ^ Schimpfössl, Elisabeth (2018). Rich Russians: From Oligarchs to Bourgeoisie. Oxford University Press. p. 201. ISBN 9780190677763.
  118. ^ "Послы Teach for Armenia, создающие будущее" [Ambassadors of Teach for Armenia Create the Future] (in Russian). Mediama. 5 June 2017. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  119. ^ "Поэтесса Маринэ Алэс — памяти жертв геноцида" [Marine Ales Poetess to Victims of Henocide] (in Russian). 100 LIVES. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  120. ^ ""АРИСТОС" значит лучший" [ARISTOS Means The Best] (in Russian). Boss magazine. 11 November 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  121. ^ "Жюри конкурса стартапов Forbes" [Forbes Start-up Competition Jury]. Forbes (in Russian). 26 June 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ruben Vardanyan.
Political offices
Preceded by State Minister of Artsakh
2022–2023 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ruben_Vardanyan_(politician)&oldid=1254148112"