Putin's Fifth Term: Russia's Long Walk Under Firm Control

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Vladimir Putin's oath renewal for his fifth presidential term in Russia marks not only a personal milestone for the leader but also a testament to the enduring grip he holds over the nation. Stepping once again through the familiar corridors of the Grand Kremlin Palace, Putin's inauguration ceremony was a symbolic reaffirmation of his authority, as he pledged to overcome obstacles and lead Russia to victory.

 

Yet, beneath the pomp and ceremony lies a nation transformed since Putin's first inauguration over two decades ago. What began as promises to preserve democracy and nurture Russia's growth has evolved into a regime marked by curtailed freedoms and assertive foreign policies. Fiona Hill, a former White House national security advisor, reflects on Putin's journey, from stabilizing Russia to embracing imperialist ambitions, likening his reign to that of a modern-day tsar.

 

Putinism has become a defining term, encapsulating an era of personalized power and political repression. Andrei Kolesnikov, senior fellow at the Carnegie Eurasia Russia Centre, draws parallels between Putin's rule and Stalinism, highlighting the authoritarian tendencies and enduring grip on power. As Putin embarks on his fifth term, questions arise about how the West should engage with an increasingly assertive Russia under his leadership.

 

The specter of nuclear weapons adds a new dimension to the challenge posed by Putin's regime. Fiona Hill underscores the need for international cooperation to restrain Russia's nuclear ambitions, emphasizing the importance of creating a framework to counter Putin's aggressive posturing. In the face of a leader determined to restore Russia's greatness, the West must navigate a delicate balance between deterrence and engagement.

 

Despite Putin's overwhelming electoral victory, questions linger about the legitimacy of his rule. The absence of credible challengers and concerns over the fairness of the electoral process cast doubt on the true extent of Putin's popular support. In towns like Kashira, where a colossal Putin mural dominates the landscape, opinions vary among the populace. While some express admiration for Putin's leadership, others lament the lack of alternatives and fear reprisals for dissent.

 

As Putin embarks on another term, Russia finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the legacy of his rule and the uncertainties of the future. The Putin era has left an indelible mark on Russian politics, shaping the nation's trajectory for years to come. Yet, as the Putin portrait fades into the background of everyday life, the challenges of governance and the quest for change persist, underscoring the complexities of Russia's political landscape under Putin's firm control.

 

2024-05-08

 

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[transam]

How can anything change until he is gone. Talk out of line, you are history, in Putins Russia....🤔

[Jingthing]

8 minutes ago, transam said:

How can anything change until he is gone. Talk out of line, you are history, in Putins Russia....🤔

They can't. 

[spidermike007]

Putinism is the new Stalinism. The big difference being the tens of millions Stalin had slaughtered. Both are psychopaths. Putin, a bit less so. He seems to get more fun out of the billions he earns, than from genocide of his own people. 

[transam]

I read that Steven Seagal and the head of a motorcycle gang were at Putin's inauguration...

 

That says it all for me.......🥴

[Tug]

Let’s all hope it’s a very very short term…….

[retarius]

Putin, a wonderful leader in peace and war and brilliant statesman. He leaves all Western leaders in the dust. Bidet, Scholz, Moroni, Macaroni, Riski (God help him). One senses that the war is going his way as well. 

[transam]

11 minutes ago, retarius said:

Putin, a wonderful leader in peace and war and brilliant statesman. He leaves all Western leaders in the dust. Bidet, Scholz, Moroni, Macaroni, Riski (God help him). One senses that the war is going his way as well. 

Just what I would expect from you, but it has backfired, because it is so funny.........🤣

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

Putin, a wonderful leader in peace and war and brilliant statesman. He leaves all Western leaders in the dust. Bidet, Scholz, Moroni, Macaroni, Riski (God help him). One senses that the war is going his way as well. 

Oh aye, he's an absolute diamond. Bent as a nine-bob note. The mothers that have seen their sons slaughtered in his pointless, little-man-syndrome war are especially endeared to him. Only types that praise him are those in his pocket, Russian nationalists, dopey westerners alienated from their own country, trolls, and fruitloops. I'm sure you'll still be drooling over him when he lobs a tactical on your family.

[daveAustin]

15 hours ago, transam said:

I read that Steven Seagal and the head of a motorcycle gang were at Putin's inauguration...

 

That says it all for me.......🥴

Seagull 😋 has been his mate for years. You see, they are 'hard' men, easily able to toss paid actors into the air when they put on one of their staged 'fights'. 

[candide]

10 hours ago, retarius said:

Putin, a wonderful leader in peace and war and brilliant statesman. He leaves all Western leaders in the dust. Bidet, Scholz, Moroni, Macaroni, Riski (God help him). One senses that the war is going his way as well. 

Putting is an incompetent leader who failed to develop his country. Russia's GDP is only around the size of Italy's GDP. Of course, only if the price of energy is high. 😀

The current GDP level is the same as during the last peak in 2013! 

https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/RUS/russia/gdp-gross-domestic-product#:~:text=Russia gdp for 2022 was,a 2.16% increase from 2018.