Helga Salemon is an experienced researcher of Russia and the post-Soviet states. More recently she is also focusing on the Russia-China relations. She worked as an analyst at the Defense department of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Russia. She did, a.o., extensive research into Putin’s inner circle of former KGB men and their successors. Apart from this, Salemon has a keen interest in the network of oligarchs around Putin and Russia’s geopolitical energy policy. Salemon is also a well-known commentator on the Dutch radio and tv, and has published articles in major Dutch dailies and news magazines.
After her return from Moscow, Salemon founded the first Dutch research firm specializing in Russia: Most Translation& Research. She has done big research projects for different multinational companies that are active in Russia, as well as research for Dutch lawyers, representing Russian clients.
Salemon received a master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Amsterdam, as well as a BS degree from the Institute for Translation and Interpretation in Utrecht. She wrote her university thesis during her study at the Frostburg State University in Maryland, USA.
Salemon speaks Dutch, English, Russian, German, French and Mandarin Chinese (limited working proficiency).