Expertise: Swiss history, politics and foreign policy of Switzerland, Germany and Russia, international diplomacy, business, Russian-Swiss political and cultural relations. Initials: IP
Born 1969, originally from Moscow. After two years in the army, studied history and sociology at the history faculty of Moscow University, then wrote a doctoral thesis in history there on the topic of German foreign policy under Gustav Stresemann. Worked as a diplomat for almost 11 years in Germany and Switzerland, and as a translator, interpreter and published writer. Speaks German and English. Has been head of the Russian section of SWI Swissinfo since 2012.
Russian media in Switzerland: A mix of propaganda and anti-regime critics
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Only a few Russian-language media exist in Switzerland. We looked at their position on Putin’s war and found a mixed bag.
Swiss recognition of former Soviet republics took 15 minutes
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Documents from 1991 show that Switzerland swiftly recognised the new countries emerging out of the former Soviet Union. Now it's more complicated.
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For years, prominent Russian journalist Dmitry Skorobutov covered domestic and international affairs for the major TV channel “Russia 1”. Today, he is a political exile in Switzerland. We speak with him for the SWI swissinfo.ch “Voices of Freedom” series.
Russian activists demand action on Nornickel spill
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The Nornickel oil spill has taken a heavy toll on indigenous communities living in Russia's Arctic. They say their way of life is at risk.
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On the centenary of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s birth, SWI swissinfo.ch examines the global appeal of the Swiss dramatist's 1956 play ‘The Visit’.
The ten most important dates in Switzerland’s history
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Today's Switzerland developed over several centuries, emerging out of a loose alliance of autonomous entities to become a federal state.
The road to proportional representation in Switzerland
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Here's how, in 1918, Switzerland made the historic decision to move to a proportional representation system at national level.
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How do you find a dream apartment in Switzerland? What do you need to know to get a lease and avoid making the biggest mistakes?
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Switzerland's president for 2017, Doris Leuthard, says her job is to give the people a feeling of security in a time of great uncertainty.
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
