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Bidzina Ivanishvili is often labeled as a "Russian oligarch" rather than just a "business oligarch" primarily due to his extensive business dealings in Russia, the source of his wealth, and his perceived close connections with Russian political and economic structures.
Ivanishvili made a significant portion of his fortune in Russia during the 1990s and early 2000s. He invested in various sectors including banking, real estate, and metals, capitalizing on the privatization wave that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. His business empire, therefore, is deeply rooted in the Russian economy. His business activities in Russia required navigating and engaging with the Russian political and economic elite. Oligarchs in Russia are typically those who have amassed significant wealth and influence, often with close ties to the Kremlin. Ivanishvili’s success in Russia implies that he had to establish and maintain strong connections with these influential circles.
In the post-Soviet space, the term "oligarch" often carries a connotation of political influence. Ivanishvili's wealth and his subsequent political career in Georgia have led to suspicions and accusations that he may serve Russian interests, given his business background and connections. Critics argue that his influence in Georgian politics, particularly as the founder of the Georgian Dream party and his tenure as Prime Minister, might align with Russian geopolitical interests.
The narrative around Ivanishvili is influenced by the geopolitical tensions between Georgia and Russia. Given Russia's history of influence over Georgia, Ivanishvili's background in Russia fuels suspicions among Georgians and international observers about his political intentions and allegiances. This is amplified by the broader context of Russian influence in former Soviet states.
Therefore, while Ivanishvili could be described as a business oligarch based on his wealth and business ventures, the label "Russian oligarch" highlights the origins of his wealth, his business activities in Russia, and the perceived implications of his connections and influence. Godorjuan (talk) 22:11, 25 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]
He is Georgian - he was born and raised in Georgia, and he is ethnically Georgian. He does not even speaks Russian language well. Out of almost 70 years of his life, he lived 10 years in Russia, all the rest in Georgia and some years in France. He is currently French and Georgian citizen.
Where you made your money does not defines your nationality. People suddently don't become of foreign nationality just because they lived a tiny fraction of their life in foreign country and earned money there.
"Oligarchs in Russia are typically those who have amassed significant wealth and influence, often with close ties to the Kremlin. Ivanishvili’s success in Russia implies that he had to establish and maintain strong connections with these influential circles." - There is no source to back any of these. These are just broad generalizations, while a concrete evidence and source is needed while writing a biography. Wikipedia should not rely on broad generalizations while writing a biography, especially on topics such as how the person earned the money.
There are many Georgian businessmen who earned money in Russia and are/were in politics in Georgia. For example, Kakha Bendukidze, who earned his money in Russia, and was minsiter of economy of Georiga under Mikheil Saakashvili. But he is not referred as "Russian oligarch", and he should not be referred as such, because the fact that he earned money in Russia does not suddenly makes him "Russian", just as he would not suddenly become "American" if he earned money in America. Levan Vasadze earned his money in America, is he also "American" now?
"In the post-Soviet space, the term "oligarch" often carries a connotation of political influence. Ivanishvili's wealth and his subsequent political career in Georgia have led to suspicions and accusations that he may serve Russian interests, given his business background and connections. Critics argue that his influence in Georgian politics, particularly as the founder of the Georgian Dream party and his tenure as Prime Minister, might align with Russian geopolitical interests." - He earned his money in Russia in Gorbachev's and Yeltsin's era. He left Russia when Putin became President in 2002 and has not visited Russia anymore. There is no evidence that he has any connections with current Russian leadership, especially since he left Russia since 2002.
"The narrative around Ivanishvili is influenced by the geopolitical tensions between Georgia and Russia." - And that's one of the main reasons not to mention him as "Russian oligarch". The fact is that because of geopolitical tensions in this case, the reality might get obscured and shifted to a non-neutral direction from seeing everything from purely a geopolitcal perspective while the reality is more complex - the fact is that Ivanishvili was elected by majority of Georgians, he is supported by those Georgian voters who voted for him in the past or vote for him today too (not Russian voters) and that he presents himself as defender of Georgian identity. Mentionig him as "Russian oligarch" would obscure these complex realities and present him as "Russian puppet". Nivzaq (talk) 10:56, 18 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]
