A visit from Ballmer is not required. Russia is consistently rated as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. I think sometimes people who haven't live

A visit from Ballmer is not required. Russia is consistently rated as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. I think sometimes people who haven't lived in eastern Europe don't realize how pervasive corruption is. It's not just a few politicians at the top taking bribes - it's most of the civil service. I can't think of any other country in the world (developed enough to have widespread IT) where it would be easier for MS to buy influence.