President Vladimir Putin had a lot of criticisms about Russia’s position in the world before he came to power for the first time. He understood most of the strategic necessities the State of Russia had, but was concerned too many “flimsy” ideas were being entered in the mainstream of military thinking. His position had been to clear all of it up.
He speaks confidently about the conflict with Ukraine because it looks more straightforward to him. He noted conspiracy theories about the East of Europe that he didn’t think held water, and had privately said that with political power he would try to change this.
Entering politics at the highest level in Moscow, he duly found out who the culprits were. In a bid for a different style of leadership, he chose to get rid of these powerful people rather than put a burden on the powerless in Russian communities. He’d straightened the way for a clear national policy.
Russia’s war is about an interpretation of a power balance and its vision of peace, but only those who have studied the country will understand it. It’s not out of fear of a US President. It’s not even just for economic reasons. It includes details on the ground and some that are secret from us. In Putin’s mind this is a modern Russian era and there’s more to go for.
