APCO Worldwide is representing Yukos Oil, Russia's fourth largest energy company, which is in the midst of a power struggle with Vladimir Putin's government.

Yukos, according to the National Review, is widely regarded as the country's "most progressive transparent, and Western-oriented corporation." That makes it a tempting target for Russian bureaucrats who want to keep big business executives out of politics, and to re-consider privatization.

Russian prosecutors have raided Yukos' Moscow headquarters, and have interrogated its CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsy, the country's richest man. His name has been floated as a potential candidate for prime minister.

Authorities also arrested Platon Lebedev in July on charges dating back to 1994 that he illegally took a fertilizer company private. Lebedev chairs Group Menatep, parent of Yukos.

Margery Kraus, CEO of APCO, spearheads the effort to develop a positive image of Yukos in the U.S. and to drum up business ventures. She was named to Menatep's international advisory committee in April, along with Stuart Eizenstat, a former U.S. Treasury Dept. deputy secretary; and Dudley Fishburn, who was U.S. editor of The Economist and a member of the British Parliament.

Former Michigan Senator Don Riegle (D), and ex-Rep. Don Bonker (D-WA.) are other members of APCO's lobbying team. APCO is part of Grey Global Group.