Kadyrov & Kerimov Reconcile: Putin Brokers Deal After ‘Blood Feud’ Over Wildberries Merger
- Moscow – A long-running and unusually public dispute between Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and Russian Senator Suleiman Kerimov has been resolved through direct intervention by President Vladimir Putin,...
- The rift between Kadyrov and Kerimov became public in October 2024, when Kadyrov announced a “blood feud” against the senator and two other lawmakers.
- At the heart of the conflict lay the merger of Wildberries with Russ Outdoor, creating Wildberries & Russ (RWB).
Moscow – A long-running and unusually public dispute between Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and Russian Senator Suleiman Kerimov has been resolved through direct intervention by President Vladimir Putin, according to statements released on Monday, . The reconciliation, brokered within the Kremlin, marks a significant development following a period of escalating tensions linked to a contentious business deal involving Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries.
The rift between Kadyrov and Kerimov became public in , when Kadyrov announced a “blood feud” against the senator and two other lawmakers. The Chechen leader accused them of orchestrating what he described as a hostile takeover of Wildberries from its founder, Tatyana Kim, and even alleged a plot to assassinate him. The declaration, a serious escalation in Russian political discourse, prompted Kerimov to seek protection from the Federal Protective Service and reportedly take refuge in a secure location outside Moscow, according to reports from late .
At the heart of the conflict lay the merger of Wildberries with Russ Outdoor, creating Wildberries & Russ (RWB). Media reports at the time suggested Kerimov stood to benefit financially from the deal, a claim that fueled Kadyrov’s anger and his public support for Kim’s ex-husband, Vladislav Bakalchuk, in an attempt to block the merger. Despite Kadyrov’s efforts, the merger proceeded, and Kim and Bakalchuk ultimately reached a settlement in their divorce proceedings.
The situation appeared to thaw last month when Kadyrov posted a photograph of himself shaking hands with Kerimov, signaling a potential resolution. That meeting, which took place on , has now been confirmed as a direct result of President Putin’s intervention. Ravil Gainutdin, chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia, revealed that Putin invited both Kadyrov and Kerimov to the Kremlin, where they “reached full agreement and mutual understanding.”
“Within the walls of the Moscow Kremlin, at the invitation of our president, they reached full agreement and mutual understanding,” Gainutdin said in a video address delivered ahead of Ramadan. The mufti framed the reconciliation as a demonstration of unity, aligning with Putin’s recent declaration of as the “Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia.”
The Council of Muftis represents Russia’s Muslim community, and Gainutdin’s involvement underscores the sensitivity of the situation and the Kremlin’s desire to present a unified front. The public nature of the dispute, and the accusations leveled by Kadyrov, had the potential to destabilize regional power dynamics and raise questions about the rule of law within Russia.
While the specific terms of the agreement reached between Kadyrov and Kerimov remain undisclosed, the intervention of President Putin highlights the Kremlin’s willingness to directly mediate disputes among powerful regional actors. Kadyrov, the long-serving leader of Chechnya, enjoys significant autonomy and maintains a strong security apparatus. Kerimov, a billionaire businessman and senator, wields considerable economic influence. A prolonged conflict between the two could have presented a challenge to Moscow’s authority.
The resolution of this dispute comes at a time when Russia is facing significant economic and geopolitical challenges. The Wildberries case, while ostensibly a business matter, became entangled with broader questions of power, influence, and control within the Russian economy. The involvement of high-ranking officials and the accusations of foul play raised concerns about transparency and fair competition.
The reconciliation between Kadyrov and Kerimov, represents more than just a personal settlement. It signals a renewed effort by the Kremlin to consolidate power, project stability, and maintain control over key economic assets. The timing, coinciding with Putin’s “Year of Unity,” suggests a deliberate attempt to foster a sense of national cohesion amidst ongoing external pressures.