Read more Sergei Ivanov stories on Newserhttp://www.newser.com/taggrid/12358/sergei-ivanov.htmlhttp://img1-cdn.newser.com/images/newser-black250x40.gifhttp://www.newser.com/2012 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorMon, 21 May 2012 09:37:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/7570/putin-praises-zubkov-ribs-bush.htmlNick McMaster<img src='http://img1-cdn.newser.com/getimage.aspx?mediaid=27492&width=45&height=45&crop=Y&updateddate=20110401032056' border='0' />Vladimir Putin heaped praise upon Viktor Zubkov, the obscure bureaucrat he appointed this week as Russia's new prime minister, at a meeting with foreign journalists yesterday, the Guardian reports. The choice of Zubkov as PM over other highly ranked favorites for the post has created suspicion that he may want...Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a meeting with foreign political analysts at his residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Friday, Sept. 14, 2007. President Vladimir Putin said newly appointed Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov was among at least five people who could hope to succeed him next year. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Vladimir Rodionov, Presidential Press Service)http://www.newser.com/story/7570/putin-praises-zubkov-ribs-bush.htmlSat, 15 Sep 2007 13:44:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/7420/putin-picks-unknown-as-new-pm.htmlKevin Spak<img src='http://img1-cdn.newser.com/getimage.aspx?mediaid=26750&width=45&height=45&crop=Y&updateddate=20110401032147' border='0' />Russian president Vladimir Putin shocked observers today by nominating a relative unknown to be the country's next prime minister, the BBC reports. After Mikhail Fradkov resigned earlier, Putin turned to Viktor Zubkov, head of the federal financial monitoring service. Putin had been expected to name first deputy PM Sergei Ivanov,...Viktor Zubkov, Head of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service, seen in Moscow, in this Dec. 9, 2004 file photo. President Vladimir Putin nominated Viktor Zubkov who oversees the fight against money laundering to become the new prime minister, in a surprise move that will stoke speculation as to who Putin might tap to succeed him after next year's presidential elections. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Vladimir Vyatkin)http://www.newser.com/story/7420/putin-picks-unknown-as-new-pm.htmlWed, 12 Sep 2007 18:21:52 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/7383/putin-dissolves-russian-government.htmlSam Gale Rosen<img src='http://img2-cdn.newser.com/getimage.aspx?mediaid=26531&width=45&height=45&crop=Y&updateddate=20110401032157' border='0' />Russian president Vladimir Putin today accepted the resignation of his prime minister, Mikhail Fradkov, and the whole cabinet. The shakeup gives Putin a chance to name a new PM and position a successor to himself as president. The new PM is likely to be current first deputy PM Sergei Ivanov,...Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with his Cabinet as Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, left, looks on in the Kremlin in Moscow, in this March 5, 2007 file photo. Putin has dissolved the Russian government on the request of the prime minister, the Kremlin said Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, a major political shakeup that comes less than three months before crucial parliamentary elections. (AP Photo/ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Service, Mikhail Klimentyev, file)http://www.newser.com/story/7383/putin-dissolves-russian-government.htmlWed, 12 Sep 2007 07:39:49 CDT