In Moscow's Shadows In Moscow's Shadows 219: Decoding Putin in Valdai
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Oct 5, 2025 The discussion reveals insights from Putin's marathon speech at Valdai, emphasizing his vision of a multipolar world opposing Western dominance. There’s a deep dive into his critique of Europe's decline and his framing of the Ukraine conflict as an external tragedy. The podcast unveils contrasts between Putin's and his critics' views, as well as his rejection of universal values. Additionally, it highlights the complexities of Russian public opinion and cautions against simplistic interpretations of Putin's motives.
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Multipolarity As A Defensive Narrative
- Vladimir Putin framed a multipolar world as a corrective to Western hegemony and a return to diverse power centres.
- He portrayed this as liberating nations to pursue their own paths rather than a single hierarchy dominated by the West.
Preference For Candid Realpolitik
- Putin praised bluntness in international politics and cautiously welcomed policies he saw as honest about national interest.
- He used Donald Trump as an example of straightforward interest-based diplomacy, not ideological alignment.
Ukraine Framed As Outsiders' Tragedy
- Putin framed the Ukraine war as a tragedy fuelled by external actors provoking nationalism and ignoring local welfare.
- Mark Galeotti reads this as part of Putin preparing rhetorical groundwork for a future deal on Russia's terms.