Putin’s Speech on Prigozhin’s Uprising: A Sign of Weakness
In a recent speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to Yevgeny Prigozhin’s uprising as „treason.“ However, if you believe the state propaganda, it was just a silly prank. Despite this, the weekend saw the most precarious 36 hours for Putin since he took power in 2000. Putin, who has always sought to demonstrate his strength, has now been weakened.
Dictatorships are often seen as providing stability, but this is a misconception. When dictators show weakness, chaos can erupt. Putin promised stability when he suspended term limitations in 2020, but the opposite has occurred.
Two dates frame this late phase of Putin’s rule: the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Prigozhin’s uprising in 2023. The latter event showcased the Russian army’s inability to stop the rebels on their way to Moscow, symbolizing powerlessness.
The events of the weekend have left many Kremlin experts uncertain about Putin’s future. While he has maneuvered himself back into a position of strength before, it will be much harder for him this time. His image as a master strategist and his aura of untouchability have been tarnished.
Support for Prigozhin was surprisingly high, while support for Putin was small. Prigozhin may not succeed Putin, but his bellicose manner resonates with many Russians. This weekend exposed Putin’s official justification for the war as a lie.
This weekend has shown that Putin is willing to negotiate when backed into a corner, contradicting the myth of the dangerous Putin. It has also opened up the possibility of a Russia without Putin, which was previously inconceivable.
It remains uncertain when or how Putin’s successor will come into power and what the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine will be. However, this past weekend in Russia will be remembered in history.
Source: spiegel.de
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