"As a former president, Putin will logically only settle for the highest and most influential Russian business position - that is Gazprom's boss. Putin's ascent to oversee Gazprom makes sense in many ways. During his entire time in office, he has been at the forefront of recasting business-state relations in Russia's vast energy sectors. Gazprom is Russia's most important business concern and it is only getting bigger, as well as being the nexus of the country's foreign economic policy.
"In terms of domestic politics, the current balance among Kremlin elites would be preserved. By the time Putin leaves office, Sibneft will have already become part of Gazprom's portfolio, and Rosneft, Gazprom competitor in Russia's oil patch, will have likely acquired Yukos' remaining assets. Both events will all but put an end to Russia's "oil wars," and only Putin will have the stature to maintain the peace." - Peter Lavelle, RIA Novosti