Bloomberg's Ryan Chilcote on Interviewing Russian President Mededev at Davos after Moscow Airport Bombing

Bloomberg Television's Ryan Chilcote took time out from his schedule at this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, to talk to News on News and relect on his exclusive interview with Russian President Mededev in the wake of the bombing at Moscow's Domodedovo airport.

Ryan Chilcote is a London-based reporter for Bloomberg Television, focusing on global business and political news. Since joining Bloomberg TV in 2007, Chilcote has covered numerous major business stories including conducting an extensive interview from Moscow with Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov in 2010. Chilcote joined Bloomberg from CNN, where he served as an international correspondent covering Russia, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East.
 
On Tuesday, Chilcote sat down for an exclusive interview with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Medvedev spoke extensively to Chilcote about steps being taken to modernize Russian's economy as well as assuaging investors concerns about corporate governance and corruption in Russia. Tune in tonight at 6pm and 9 pm/ET in the US, 6pm and 9pm GMT in the UK and 9pm and 10pm Hong Kong/Singapore time to see the full 30-minute interview special entitled, Meeting Medvedev: Davos 2011."

To watch the interview online, visit: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/66231356/

1)  Snagging an interview with the Russian President is a big hit in normal circumstances, but to get it after the Moscow Airport attack must have had added importance. How did you decide on your approach to the interview in light of the bombing?
 
It was important for me to ask President Medvevdev about the bombing. The bombing at Moscow's Domodedovo airport happened on Monday, the day I arrived in Davos, and the day before President Medvedev was set to arrive, but didn't because he postponed his trip by a day.  It was certainly something to ask about - particularly in light of the fact that the attacked happened just before he came to Davos. Some had suggested the bombing was meant to deter his trip and for a brief time it looked like it might.
 
The focus of my interview, however, was on President Medvedev's vision for building a modern economy, and the many reasons why investors have been shying away from Russia. Terrorism is not one of investor's biggest concerns, at least at the moment.  The primary concerns are corruption, the rule of law, corporate governance and political risk.
 
2)   Speaking fluent Russian, and having extensive knowledge of the Russian federation and former Soviet block must put you at an advantage in such interviews.  How did you call upon this knowledge when putting your questions to the Russian President?
 
I lived in Russia for 11 years, and I travel there frequently now so I tend to follow what's going on.  Over the years, a lot of questions have been building up, and so this interview with President Medvedev was an opportunity to ask some of them. The challenge was choosing exactly which questions. 
 
It was very helpful because I had that background and I was able to have a conversation about the issues. We talked a lot about things that I either know about on a personal level, like the complete absence of Russian consumer goods, and the ones I've been living and breathing professionally over the years, like the case of Russian billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky who is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence.
 
3)   What does your knowledge of Russia, and its political structure bring to your general reporting at Bloomberg Television?
 
I would like to think that it brings a lot!  Much has changed in Russia since I began going there 21 years ago.  That means relationships with friends, business people and government officials, and that familiarity really helps me get access to people, get news, and perhaps most importantly gain an understanding that isn't guesswork based on others' reporting. 
 
Perhaps because Russia is more geographically isolated, and the language can be a barrier for people-- for example, a foreigner is much more foreign in Russia than they would be, say in London -- breaking through that foreignness is essential to understand what's going on.
 
4)   Davos is 'the' business meeting of the year.  How in your opinion has it changed over the years, and what makes it so different now to a decade ago?
 
This is my second year covering the World Economic Forum in Davos, but this year seemed very different from 2010.  Most people here are cautiously optimistic.  Last year, a lot of the people here were still very much worried about what might be around the corner.
 
5)   You moved from reporting for CNN International to Bloomberg Television. Does business news and its impact on the wider world appeal to you more than general news reporting?
 
Good question!  You know I loved and continue to love general news, but I'm developing a passion for business news.  First off, it's all relatively new to me.  I'm learning new things every day, and at such an interesting time in the world economy.  Even better, I'm just beginning to understand how people, and the colors of everyday life, is woven into business.  And finally, and I'm saying this not just to boost my paycheck --  I'd tell you Bloomberg Television is a very exciting place to be right now.  We have resources, drive, and ambition and in our industry that counts for a lot. For a reporter that lives by the story, I'm really enjoying myself here.