Igor Sechin vs Mikhail Mishustin

Sechin negotiated a strategic partnership with ExxonMobil to explore and develop oil and gas resources in the Russian Arctic, including the Kara Sea. The deal, valued at up to $500 billion, was later suspended due to Western sanctions imposed after the Ukraine crisis.

Igor Sechin was appointed President and Chairman of the Management Board of Rosneft, Russia's state-owned oil company. He transformed Rosneft into the world's largest publicly traded oil producer by output, overseeing major acquisitions and expansion, while maintaining close ties to the Kremlin.

Sechin led Rosneft's $55 billion acquisition of TNK-BP, the third-largest oil company in Russia, from BP and the AAR consortium. The deal made Rosneft the world's largest publicly traded oil producer by output and solidified Sechin's influence in the global energy sector.

Following Russia's annexation of Crimea, the United States imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Sechin personally, freezing assets and restricting access to Western capital markets. The sanctions targeted Russia's energy sector, limiting Rosneft's ability to finance projects and acquire technology.

Mishustin was appointed Head of the Federal Tax Service of Russia. He modernized the tax system, introducing digital services and increasing tax collection efficiency.

Mishustin was appointed Prime Minister by President Putin after the resignation of Dmitry Medvedev. He was tasked with implementing national projects and economic reforms.

Mishustin led the Russian government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He implemented lockdowns and economic support measures, but faced criticism for the Sputnik V vaccine rollout.

Mishustin resigned as Prime Minister after Putin's re-election, but was immediately reappointed. He continued to oversee the government during the ongoing war in Ukraine.