It is naive to assume that Dmitry Lee has no enemies or, at the very least, detractors left in the country. Is he getting in someone’s way? More likely yes than no. Numerous companies with the obligatory "impex" component have proliferated almost at every ministry and department. Formally, they conducted import-export operations on behalf of the state. But here’s what needs to be said. If previously, for example, for products of local chemical industry enterprises, in addition to the contract, it was necessary to pay cash from 20 to 100 dollars per ton (depending on the product), today this is no longer the case. Moreover, if someone dares to request this, they will immediately be reported by the first person who finds out.
For your information: quite recently, an individual entrepreneur who decided to conclude an annual contract with a well-known retail chain would inadvertently leave $100 in the documents. Today, they will be caught up with and returned the money they "accidentally forgot" in the folder with the contract.
Progress? Definitely. Are there people in power and around it who would like to turn back time? There are.
We are far from idealizing Dmitry Lee. There are no absolutely clean individuals in big business. But we are also far from believing in a kickback equivalent to the actual contract amount. For a number of reasons, Dmitry Lee remains an alien body in the power structure. Not only because he has never worked in the civil service before, but also because of the presence of quite legal wealth, of which three million dollars are not a big deal. Secondly, it’s foolish to steal when you know what will follow. Moreover, faster than you can reach the "Canadian border."
A gentleman’s agreement is called so because it does not involve betrayal. Otherwise, it ceases to be such. With all the consequences, regardless of whose relatives are behind you. And Lee, as it seems to us, understands this better than others. There are no idiots with such money.