eddy-- First, the Russians are NOT Russian. The CEO is from there but is just a blow hard.
The other point you may have missed is you are looking at apples & oranges. KRY has a contract to dig the gold, GRZ is a concession. Vz. has said they do not want concessions any more.
I also don't think KRY was ever boasting about talking to the powers to be in Vz. They have been there a long time and have a lot at stake. This a for real Corp. trying to do some bussness with a 3ed wordd clown.