Debate: Putin Has Been Good For Russia

The provocative title should provide a heated debate on the effect of Vladimir Putin on Russia, a debate that rages around the world, not least in Russia, where many ordinary people are staunch supporters and believe their lives to be much better than they were under Boris Yeltsin. For the motion are Christopher Granville, MD and director, Russia/FSU Research at consultancy Trusted Sources and Boris Jordan, an American businessman of Russian origin who is president and CEO of the Sputnik Group. Opposing it are liberal journalists Masha Gessen, a Russian journalist and director of Radio Liberty's Russian Service, and Luke Harding, senior international correspondent at the Guardian, and the first Western journalist to be expelled from Russia since the Cold War. Writer and broadcaster Viv Groskop chairs. Expect sparks to fly.