In a recent speech, President Putin, perhaps speaking for the approaching Medvedev-Putin administration addressed three major issues affecting Russia’s economy. He explicitly stated, taxes must be cut, the government must be trimmed, and businesses must be assisted by the government, not hindered. Of all three lofty goals, the one most immediately achievable would be the cutting of taxes. We should note with a flat tax, Russia already has one of the lower corporate tax rates in the world. Secondly, when it comes to trimming government, in the long-run, the administration will have the control of the Duma, so if there is a will some progress can be made here. Lastly, the most difficult goal of achieving greater transparency in government might prove to be the most difficult. With Medvedev’s legal credentials and political capital, some gradual progress might be made here as well.