Novatek deputy chair Given Russian Citizenship

President Vladimir Putin granted Russian citizenship on July 22 to Mark Gyetvay, the deputy chairman of Russian gas producer Novatek, according to a decree published on the Kremlin’s website.

Gyetvay has worked as Novatek’s head of finance since 2003 and the deputy chairman of its management board since 2010. The Kremlin has issued citizenships and various awards to a number of Western nationals at leading Russian companies over the years, as a show of gratitude for their services to Russia.

Gyetvay's US citizenship became an obstacle after US nationals were barred from helping to arrange financing for Novatek and other major Russian oil and gas companies in 2014 under Washington sanctions. This restricted his role in negotiating funding for the $27bn Yamal LNG project, completed in 2017.