In truth, Kasparov is a marginal figure in Russian politics, yet he remains confident that his cause will prevail due to the inherent weaknesses of a system that denies Russians opportunity. Kasparov says oil was $20 a barrel and the Russian economy was on the rise when Mr Putin came to power yet now that oil is $100-plus the economy is stagnating. "So there are hundreds of billions of dollars earned from energy exports that never made their way into the Russian economy. We have 100 billionaires and no roads, no medical services. The regime will collapse and it might be much sooner than anyone expects."