President Putin demands an end to hysteria over Yukos

President Vladimir Putin has demanded an end to "hysteria and speculations" over the Yukos case and warned the cabinet against getting involved in discussions on this matter.

"No conclusions, comparisons and precedents, particularly those that can trigger the revision of privatisation results, should not be sought. I would, therefore, ask to end hysteria and speculations over the matter. And I request the cabinet not to get engaged in related discussions," the president said at a cabinet meeting.

"Yet, I understand the business community's concern. Indeed, the federal authorities' actions had more often than not evolved into campaigns of all sorts," said President Putin.