Since the inauguration of Dmitri Medvedev, it is clear that western powers have shown greater optimism regarding the future of Russia. On the whole, the former Cold War foe has recently shown greater steps at economic and political transparency, albeit as compared to an era ran by a predecessor who seized and nationalized private corporations as if that was the duty of his office. 

A recent article by the Economist highlights the opportunity that the Mikhail Khordorkovsky re-trial can bring to Russia in establishing the autonomous leadership of Mr. Medvedev:

As a lawyer, Mr Medvedev has little interest in being tainted by another sham trial in Moscow. He has been careful to distance himself from the Yukos affair. Mr Khodorkovsky acknowledges this. In one interview through his lawyers he said: “I respect Dmitry Medvedev as Russia’s legitimate president, although his political views are not completely clear to me. He certainly did not plunder Yukos and has nothing to fear from Platon Lebedev or myself.” At the opening of the trial, Mr Khodorkovsky cited Mr Medvedev’s words about law and corruption. But he did not pull any punches when talking about the prosecutors who put him in jail.

Letting Mr Khodorkovsky out must have attractions for Mr Medvedev. It would strengthen him as a force in Russian politics, gain him international kudos and lay the Yukos ghost that still haunts the Kremlin. But to achieve all this he has to convince Mr Putin and fight those who benefited from the dismantling of Yukos and want Mr Khodorkovsky in prison for the rest of their lives.

Robert Amsterdam, lead contributor to Corporate Foreign Policy.com and one of the lead attorneys in defense of Mr Khodorkovsky, was recently interviewed on CNN, stating that this trial is not about law, but politics. To confront Russia on the rule of law is to help the ability of western companies to invest in Russia, which, as Mr. Amsterdam states, would occur at a critical time, following the G-20 and in the midst of global economic recession.