Boris Nemtsov: “I don't think you need to be a conspiracy theorist to say whoever did this, very much wanted everyone to know who done…”

Attempts by some in the West, including in the United States, to adopt a realpolitik approach and to conduct 'business as usual' with the Putin regime contradict the most basic values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

The regime is no longer satisfied with mere political control and seeks to subject society to fear and submission.

With Vladimir Putin's return to the Presidency in May 2012, Russia's authoritarian regime has transitioned to a new stage of development.

Since Putin took power in 2000, one Western administration after another declined to confront him on human rights.