Putin's PM to mark new EU relationship?

As Europe attempts to rethink its approach to relations with Russia, a shake-up could be on the cards from the Moscow side too.

After controversial former EU ambassador Mikhail Fradkov rose to the top of the pile to become Russia’s new prime minister, Brussels is watching with anticipation to see if his nomination will mark a change in relations, and if so, if it is necessarily for the better.

President Vladimir Putin has called him a “good, strong communicator” and EU officials have similarly welcomed his nomination, but behind the scenes Fradkov’s pedigree has brought mixed responses.

Many see the naming of the largely unknown bureaucrat as adroit manoeuvering by Putin to wrap his fingers even more tightly around the reins of power back home.

Fradkov has little political power at home and analysts have variously called him a 'colourless', and a 'compromise candidate who stands for nothing.'

Conversely, Fradkov boasts a wealth of contacts and experience in the international arena that many other Muscovites can only dream of.

Having worked in external trade both during and after communism, Fradkov has all the expertise to fight Russia’s corner in the current dispute with Brussels over what trade terms will govern the EU’s ten new states, many of which were trading almost exclusively in the soviet block 15 years ago.

His nomination is seen by many as a clear signal from Putin of his hard stance on international trade and EU relations at a time when Brussels and Moscow are locked in grating talks over how the two will stand come enlargement on May 1.

The EU has also been a thorn in the side of Russia's bid for membership of the World Trade Organisation.

But Putin has laid his cards on the table by picking Fradkov who spent several years in the 1990s as Moscow’s man in Geneva representing Russia at the WTO.    

The 53-year-old bureaucrat of Jewish origin is, however, anything but a colourless paper-pusher.

In 1995, he was embroiled in a scandal after allegedly skimming 150 million roubles from state funds to construct a villa in Moscow’s chic western district.

The case, however, never came to court after a room housing key documents was burnt down.

Fradkov has never been a formal member of the KGB, but there is much conjecture over his links with the secret police service which may have given him the occasional leg-up on his illustrious career path.

He also served as head of Russia’s tax police – a sign many believe that Putin intends to continue his hard line against Russia’s oligarchs.

Fradkov is still to be formally accepted by the Duma on March 5, but with Putin enjoying two thirds support in the house, the job looks already to be his.

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