Chernomyrdin, Viktor

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Chernomyrdin, Viktor (1938– ) Russian statesman, prime minister (1992–98). A member (1986–90) of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), he became prime minister despite the objections of Boris Yeltsin. Chernomyrdin broadly supported economic reform but was critical of the pace of privatization. Yeltsin's illness meant that Chernomyrdin acted as caretaker-president throughout much of 1996–97. Chernomyrdin later acted as Russia's chief negotiator in efforts to end the war in Kosovo.

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