The Take 25 years of Putin: what can we expect next?
May 7, 2025
Mikhail Zygar, a writer and journalist renowned for his insights into Russian politics, shares his thoughts on Vladimir Putin's 25-year reign. He delves into the transformations in Russian society under Putin's rule, likening it to a hijacked plane where dissent is oppressed. The discussion also covers key events, including the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and Putin's critique of unipolarity. Zygar highlights Russia's resilience against sanctions and explores the implications of a shifting global power landscape influenced by Putin's authoritarianism.
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Russia as a Hijacked Airplane
- Russian society feels like a hijacked airplane controlled by terrorists who eliminated resistance early on.
- Many passengers comply for comfort, unaware their leaders are harmful, which prevents real political opposition.
Putin's Early Power Roots
- 1990s Russia was chaotic with collapsed bureaucracy and rampant gangster control.
- Putin's role in St. Petersburg involved managing gangsters' foreign trade licenses, honing his mafia-like skills.
Putin's KGB-Inspired Leadership Style
- Putin was valued for being faceless, gray, and mediocre, fitting KGB's criteria.
- He learned initiative was unwelcome, so loyalty and conformity became his survival and leadership traits.
