Moscow hunts for former European leaders: After Schroeder, Russian giants also hire Fillon

Former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has joined the board of Russia's largest petrochemical producer Sibur, the company said.

Large Russian corporations often hire former high-ranking European politicians to exploit their connections and influence.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is chairman of the shareholders' committee at Nord Stream's operating company, while Russian energy giant Rosneft (ROSN.MM) earlier this year appointed former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl to its board.

The Kremlin has said that Fillon, who served as prime minister under Nicolas Sarkozy from 2007-2012, had "very good relations" with President Vladimir Putin.

Sibur, a privately held company and the largest petrochemical producer in Eastern Europe, has long been planning an initial public offering.

Its largest shareholders are Leonid Mikhelson, both the head and largest shareholder of Russia's largest liquefied natural gas producer Novatek (NVTK.MM), and businessman Gennady Timchenko, a close ally of Putin.

It is worth noting that after the end of his term, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder joined the board of directors of GAZPROM. Russia, led by Putin, uses its profitable companies to corrupt as many politicians from Europe as possible, by employing them in these companies.

After their terms end, it remains to be seen how many other politicians from Europe will find themselves on these famous boards of Russian companies in the coming weeks.