The Foreign Affairs Interview Best Of: What Drives Putin and Xi
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Aug 7, 2025 
In a riveting discussion, Stephen Kotkin, a leading Russia expert at Stanford, and Orville Schell, a prominent China scholar, delve into the motivations behind Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin’s leadership. They explore how both leaders draw from their tumultuous pasts, shaping their autocratic styles. The conversation highlights the impact of historical narratives on modern geopolitics, especially in the context of the Ukraine war and Sino-Russian relations. Their insights expose the complex interplay of power, ideology, and the ambitions driving these formidable figures on the world stage.
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Xi Jinping's Formative Hardship
- Xi Jinping's background is shaped by his family's persecution during the Cultural Revolution.
- His experience instills a psychological drive to be "more red than anyone" to gain acceptance and survive.
No Political Reform Under Xi
- Xi Jinping and Gorbachev were chosen to reform corruption and dynamism in their communist systems.
- Xi rejects Gorbachev's failed reforms and prioritizes preventing political liberalization.
Shared Victim Mentality
- Xi and Putin share a deep-rooted victim culture shaped by Leninist anti-imperialism.
- They perceive themselves as historically disrespected and marginalized powers craving respect.