Viktor Chernomyrdin

Viktor Stepanovich Chernomyrdin (??????? ??????????? ????????????) (born April 9, 1938) is a Russian politician.

Career

During 1967-1973 he was involved in CPSU work in Orsk.

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During 1973-1978 he worked as the director of the natural gas plant in Orenburg.

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During 1978-1982 he worked in the heavy industry arm of CC CPSU.

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In 1982, he was appointed deputy Minister of the natural gas industries of the Soviet Union. Concurrently, beginning from 1983, he directed Glavtyumengazprom, an industry association for natural gas resource development in Tyumen Oblast. During 1985-1989 he was the Minister of gas industries.

Related Topics:
Natural gas - Soviet Union - Tyumen Oblast

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In 1989, when the Ministry of Oil and Gas was converted into the government company Gazprom, Chernomyrdin was elected its chairman.

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In May 1992, Boris Yeltsin appointed Chernomyrdin deputy prime minister in charge of fuel and energy. In December 1992, Chernomyrdin became prime minister of the Russian Federation.

Related Topics:
Boris Yeltsin - Russian Federation

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In April 1995 he formed a political bloc called Our Home — Russia, which was aimed at becoming the central force in the parliament, but failed in this, gaining only 10% of votes.

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During the summer of 1995, Chernomyrdin was involved in direct negotiations with the Chechen terrorist Shamil Basayev, whose armed group has taken hostages in a hospital in Budennovsk. Some of the hostages were released after the negotiations.

Related Topics:
Chechen - Terrorist - Shamil Basayev - Budennovsk

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Chernomyrdin remained prime minister until his dismissal in 1998. Following the default in August 1998, Yeltsin offered Chernomyrdin's re-appointment to the position of prime minister, but the Duma rejected the offer.

Related Topics:
Default - Duma

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In December 1999 he was elected a member of the Duma.

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In May 2001, Vladimir Putin appointed Chernomyrdin ambassador to Ukraine. This action was interpreted by some Russian media agencies as a move to distance Chernomyrdin from the centre of Russian politics.

Related Topics:
Vladimir Putin - Ukraine - Russian politics

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