"In 1995 the whole political situation was very complicated. I was the first deputy prime minister, and at the same time I had very low influence in the government"

Anatoly Chubais's quote assesses an unstable duration in Russian politics throughout the mid-1990s, a time marked by substantial shift and upheaval following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1995, Chubais was a key figure in the Russian federal government, holding the position of First Deputy Prime Minister. Despite this high-ranking position, he outrightly specifies that his influence within the government was "extremely low". This dichotomy highlights the intricacies and inner operations of political power characteristics in Russia at the time.

The "complicated" political scenario he describes can be attributed to several elements. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia was fighting with enormous economic obstacles, including devaluation, a collapsing industrial sector, and widespread poverty. The government, still in its nascent stages of a new-found democracy, was spoiled by political instability and struggles in between reformist and conservative elements. There were strong ideological divides too, in between those promoting Western-style reforms and others who were sentimental for the Soviet era.

Chubais, understood for his role in financial reforms, consisting of privatization efforts aiming to transition Russia to a market economy, often sparked debate and faced opposition. His lack of impact regardless of a leading governmental role suggests the resistance his policies experienced from different political factions and people who were either unable or unwilling to adopt quick economic improvements. Governmental inertia and political infighting likely further impeded his ability to press through his reform programs.

Additionally, the quote talks to the broader context of Russian politics, where official titles might not always correspond with real power or decision-making impact. Real power might typically be wielded by those with much better connections within President Boris Yeltsin's inner circle or those who commanded financial or political alliances.

In essence, Chubais's reflection highlights the dissonance frequently present in transitional political structures, where surface-level authority does not always equate to substantial governing impact, especially at a time when multiple visions for the country's future were being contested.