30 Nov 2022 14:06

Kudrin yet to confirm move to Yandex: 'I haven't chosen my new job yet'

MOSCOW. Nov 30 (Interfax) - Alexei Kudrin, who has resigned as head of the Russian Accounts Chamber, has yet to confirm he is taking up a position at internet company Yandex , despite the farewell he received from Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko.

Unofficial reports say Kudrin will move to Yandex, which is set to undergo restructuring, spinning off its Russian and overseas businesses, after he leaves public office. Sources have told Interfax that the chairmanship of the board of directors at a Yandex Russian parent company has been discussed with Kudrin. Neither Yandex nor Kudrin have officially commented. Matviyenko said following voting to release Kudrin from his tenure as Accounts Chamber head that she hoped the upper chamber of the Russian parliament's statements would appear among the Yandex search engine's top results more frequently after Kudrin makes his move. That said, Yandex recently offloaded its News service to VK in an asset swap.

"In my life, there always remain unfinished big and interesting projects, from one to the next. I think it's good to get something done. Even more interesting big projects still have to be done," Kudrin told reporters after voting in Federation Council on Wednesday.

Asked what big projects Kudrin might take on in his new position, he said: "I haven't chosen my new job yet."

Asked whether it was true his next job would be at Yandex, Kudrin said: "I'll refrain for now, because we need to pause [...] When we make a choice, then we will say."

"I need a few days to gather my thoughts," the now ex-head of the Accounts Chamber said, adding that he was "sad in a way to leave public service." At the same time, the initiative to leave the post was his own, he said.

"Yes, this is my initiative as I am looking for new interesting projects in my life," Kudrin said.