Putin's First Prime Minister, Mikhail Kasyanov, Designated as 'Foreign Agent'

Kasyanov, a prominent opposition figure who left Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, faces credibility challenges and strict regulations under the designation.

Mikhail Kasyanov, who served as Putin's first prime minister from 2000 to 2004, has been added to Russia's 'foreign agent' list.
Kasyanov became a prominent opposition figure after leaving office and attempted to run for president in 2008, but his candidacy was rejected.
After Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Kasyanov left Russia and has been reported to be in Latvia.
Russian law allows for figures and organizations receiving money or support from outside the country to be designated as foreign agents, a term that could undermine the designee's credibility.
The 'foreign agent' designation requires people and entities on the list to place a disclaimer on items they publish and imposes strict financial reporting and self-disclosure requirements.