The West's Growing Disillusionment with Vladimir Putin

GOPUSA ^ | 12/20/04 | Carol Devine-Molin

[tornado100]

President Vladimir Putin is now viewed as an enigma by most Americans. Oh, what a difference a few years can make in this rapidly changing geopolitical landscape! When President Bush first met with Russian President Putin in 2001, Bush was tremendously impressed with him - Bush stated: "I looked the man in the eye. I was able to get a sense of his soul", which certainly conveyed hopeful expectations of a Vladimir Putin as democratic reformer and ally of the US. President Bush quickly dubbed the Russian President "Pootie Poot", and thought that he had found a man with whom he could forge a cooperative relationship. And, at first, there was reason for optimism about Putin. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11 - in a show of solidarity - Putin was exceedingly helpful to the US in the fight against international terrorism. Unfortunately, things have gone terribly awry. Although Putin has generated impressive economic changes in Russia, his overall progress in support of democratization has been lacking.

The Bush-Putin relationship is now strained by the Kremlin's proclivity to enact political repression, both at home and in former Soviet states. Let's focus on the Ukraine which has become the center of worldwide attention in recent weeks. Two competing groups are now vying for power in the Ukraine - the reformists of the "orange revolution" and those seeking to maintain the status-quo with Russia. The former, the pro-democracy faction spearheading Ukrainian self-determination, free elections and clean government, clearly has the momentum among the populace. In any event, the recent election results for the presidency were apparently rigged and subsequently tossed out by the Ukraine's Supreme Court, with an attending order to repeat the runoff on December 26. To make matters so much worse, the Kremlin seems to have very dirty hands in this entire matter.

It's widely believed that Putin and his surrogates involved themselves in atrocious behaviors vis-à-vis the recent presidential election in the Ukraine. The Kremlin is not only implicated in election fraud, but in attempts to assassinate Viktor Yushchenko, the "orange revolution" candidate. Yushchenko was poisoned with a pure form of dioxin found in TCDD, an element of Agent Orange. The amount of dioxin in Yushchenko's blood is the second highest on record, and very well could have been deadly. At the very least, the poisoning has disfigured a once handsome man, and shortened his lifespan by years. As a result of the poisoning, Yushchenko experienced severe and disfiguring skin lesions, in addition to considerable internal damage and pain.

Needless to say these entire circumstances have infuriated the free world. The poisoning of Yushchenko was almost certainly perpetrated by his opponent's camp, which was working in collusion with the Kremlin. Many believe that the poisoning would not have been carried-out unless Putin himself granted approval. It would be fair to say that the Kremlin's little plan to destroy Yushchenko backfired big-time. Yushchenko is now even more popular having survived the Kremlin's unconscionable actions. And his "orange revolution" continues to garner an increasing number of proponents. Putin's man, presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych, will in all probability lose the upcoming election that will be closely monitored. Because of Russia's shenanigans, the Ukraine will undoubtedly be more eager to align itself with the EU and NATO in a pro-western mode.

Putin is beginning to act out in a very nasty and unseemly way on the world stage. Only a few weeks ago, Putin had the unmitigated gall to refer to America as a "dictatorship" in the realm of foreign policy, and he further compared our nation to a "kind but strict uncle in a pith helmet". Why? In short, Putin is miffed because the Bush administration had the audacity to ask Russia to stop meddling in the affairs of former Soviet states including the Ukraine. Conversely, Putin believes that it's actually the US that is inappropriately "interfering" in the Russian-Ukrainian relationship. Essentially, Putin wants to abuse his Ukrainian political opponents without criticism. Because of myriad cultural, historical and economic reasons, Putin is intent on holding the Ukraine firmly within the orbit of Russian influence, whether by hook or crook. Any thinking person would surmise that Putin is developing imperialistic designs, somewhat akin to those seen during the prior Soviet epoch. This spells trouble.

According to Russian scholar Michael McFaul, associate professor of political science and a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University, Putin is of a dual-mind when it comes to implementing much needed reforms: "Since becoming Russia's President in 2000, Vladimir Putin has simultaneously pushed forward a positive agenda of economic reform and a negative agenda of political repression. It's a sad story of one step forward, two steps back, and if it continues it will threaten the existence of a free Russian society...The list of Putin's attacks on democracy is striking in both its range and depth. He has conducted an inhumane war in Chechnya, seized control of all national television networks, emasculated the power of the Federation Council, tamed regional barons who once served as a powerful balance to Yeltsin's presidential rule, arbitrarily used the law to jail or chase away political foes, removed candidates from electoral ballots, harassed and arrested NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) leaders and weakened Russia's independent political parties" (Center for American Progress website, 6/24/04).

In a recent article by McFaul at the Weekly Standard magazine, he writes: "In the Ukraine, Putin made his first aggressive attempt to consolidate 'managed democracy' -- his advisers' term for Russia's new regime-type in another country. Hoping to prevent a democratic breakthrough like those in Serbia in 2000 and Georgia in 2003, Putin's administration orchestrated a giant effort, first to aid Yanukovych's electoral campaign, then after the vote to blur the world's understanding of the results".

Incredibly, Putin refers to his awful manipulations and oppressive behaviors as "managed democracy"? Clearly, Putin really doesn't grasp what freedom is all about.

President Putin is now exhibiting his true colors. Today's Russia reflects a new-styled autocratic rule, somewhat reminiscent of the former Soviet era but tolerant of select economic reforms. Moreover, this Russian crackdown on freedom is distasteful to the West, particularly in this age of democratization. Although it's an often cited cliché, "past is prologue" seems very apropos of the emerging circumstances in Russia. It's almost impossible to forget that Putin was a bigwig in the KGB not that many years ago. The KGB apparatchiks were extremely dedicated to the Soviet cause. As for Putin, I suppose an entrenched mindset that seeks to sustain and grow an empire, and suppress human rights, is difficult to cast aside.

One salient question for America to ponder is this: Could Russia's autocratic ways conceivably lead to another version of the Cold War? Sure, it's possible, considering some of Putin's recent remarks that were an assault upon America and indicative of his hard-line mentality. I think it would be fair to say that Putin's failure to enact democratic reforms is beginning to sour the West on his governance. Who knows? In protest of Putin, maybe I will even have to revive my impression of Natasha's famous lines, "Yes, Fearless Leader" and "Boris, kill moose and squirrel".

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[tornado100]

Putin never got past his KGB background. Does he intend to alienate the west?

[Halgr]

There are some that say he pulled the wool over bush's eyes....

[G.Mason]

On a positive note, the Bear stirring may well awaken the Euroweenies to the stark realization that perhaps, just perhaps, the United States is the lesser of the evils. ;)

[DustyMoment]

I have long foreseen that Putin would invoke his old USSR-KGB roots and try to return Russia to the "good old" days of the repressive Soviet-era. His attempted poisoning of Viktor Yuschenko is clear enough proof of that, but Putin has gone further. He has encouraged Russian subs to be aggressive around American warships in international waters - a clear return to the days of the Soviet era gone by.

Putin, in short, is NOT someone to be trusted and NOT a man with whom Bush should be doing business. Bush is taking the right steps by keeping Putin at arms length.

[tornado100]

Dusty: You saw the Putin problem coming long before I did. Up until this year, I thought he was doing fine. Or maybe I believed what I wanted to believe. I guess we really shouldn't trust ex-KGB. Or is he still KGB?

[Reactionary]

Personally, I've always thought of Putin as an oily Stalinist thug.

[bobjam]

Russian autocracy was not in and of itself the root cause of the Cold War. After all, Russia was a totalitarian state for the 1000+ years prior to 1917 (one of the lowlights of Czar Nicholas II's rule was dissolving the Duma). The Cold War grew out of the desire of the Bolsheviks to spread their "revolution" to other countries. The red tide of communism quickly took over Mongolia, destabilized China and began permeating into Europe. It culminated with Kruschev pounding his shoe and pledging to "bury America".

What is Putin doing that he would want to "spread" around the world? It would be great if he spread his economic reforms around Europe. The issue is spheres of influence. Nations such as The Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia have been in Russia's sphere for centuries. Moscow no more wants to see America meddling in Serbia as Washinton wants to see Moscow meddling in Mexico.

[Lessismore]

President Bush quickly dubbed the Russian President "Pootie Poot", and thought that he had found a man with whom he could forge a cooperative relationship.

I would think that dubbing a Russian President "Pootie Poot", would pretty much dash any hopes of a cooperative relationship.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ping

[GarySpFc]

I have long foreseen that Putin would invoke his old USSR-KGB roots and try to return Russia to the "good old" days of the repressive Soviet-era. His attempted poisoning of Viktor Yuschenko is clear enough proof of that, but Putin has gone further. He has encouraged Russian subs to be aggressive around American warships in international waters - a clear return to the days of the Soviet era gone by.

Nonsense! You base your certanities on what is mere assumptions at best. You sound like a typical John Bircher. You have zero evidence Putin had anything to do with the poisoning of Yuschenko. My "guess" would be that the president of the Ukraine was behind the posioning.
Further, where is the evidence Russian subs are being aggressive around American warships in international waters? Simply because they are shadowing American fleets is not evidence, but simply wanting to train against the best forces.

[GarySpFc]

Ping

[massadvj]

Rusiia has a second-rate military and a third-rate economy. China is a greater threat than Russia at this point in time.

[jb6]

Actually the economy is the 6th largest in the world by purchasing power parity and growing at 7%.

[MarMema]

Putin certainly takes all the heat. It is, I think, a combination of the average age of posters here and their refusal to let go of an outdated cold war mentality, and their complete lack of knowledge of Russia, the Russian people and the Orthodox church.
Also reminiscent feelings can be enjoyable, even if they are about the cold war.

[MarMema]

Remember too that the night of the orange thingie in Ukraine, there was a post here saying that tanks were headed from Russia to Ukraine. I don't think one poster even questioned it, for at least several pages.
It was just accepted that Putin was now going to try to take over Ukraine. I can remember how hard I was laughing, but it is really sad, I guess.

It's good to have you here with us, Gary. Ignorance is a terrible thing.

[massadvj]

Actually the economy is the 6th largest in the world by purchasing power parity and growing at 7%.

Its growth rate is around 4.3 percent with an inflation rate over 15 percent. Its GDP is less than a third of that of Germany and about a tenth of that of the US. Its GDP per capita is around $5600. That's third rate by just about any standard. Here's a link:

http://www.economist.com/countries/Russia/profile.cfm?folder=Profile-Economic%20Structure

[MarMema]

Moreover, this Russian crackdown on freedom is distasteful to the West, particularly in this age of democratization.

Isn't that funny? I don't think the "freedoms" we have here are all that wonderful. In Russia it is forbidden to attack a religion in a public art display, wahabbi literature is against the law, homosexuals are still hiding out, and there is prayer in the public schools.

Literacy in Russia is much higher than here, and I know from personal experience that most ten year olds there speak perfect English and some are beginning a third language study at school.

You would think conservatives would find the freedoms in Russia to be appealing. There is no CPS to dictate to you how to raise your child, but parents are free to make their own choices about how old a child should be to stay home alone. I knew Russians who were doing extensive remodeling and rebuilding on homes and never had to pay the local county for this or that license or fee, and in the mid-to-late 90's you could put a table out in front of your home and sell whatever you wanted to on it.

The lack of government regulation in Russia is a breath of fresh air. But I guess that doesn't sell when you are in the media.

[GarySpFc]

Its growth rate is around 4.3 percent with an inflation rate over 15 percent. Its GDP is less than a third of that of Germany and about a tenth of that of the US. Its GDP per capita is around $5600. That's third rate by just about any standard. Here's a link:

Let's look at some valid figures from the CIA World Factbook:

Russia Top of Page Economy - overview: Russia ended 2003 with its fifth straight year of growth, averaging 6.5% annually since the financial crisis of 1998. Although high oil prices and a relatively cheap ruble are important drivers of this economic rebound, since 2000 investment and consumer-driven demand have played a noticeably increasing role. Real fixed capital investments have averaged gains greater than 10% over the last four years and real personal incomes have averaged increases over 12%. Russia has also improved its international financial position since the 1998 financial crisis, with its foreign debt declining from 90% of GDP to around 28%. Strong oil export earnings have allowed Russia to increase its foreign reserves from only $12 billion to some $80 billion. These achievements, along with a renewed government effort to advance structural reforms, have raised business and investor confidence in Russia's economic prospects. Nevertheless, serious problems persist. Oil, natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of exports, leaving the country vulnerable to swings in world prices. Russia's manufacturing base is dilapidated and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to achieve broad-based economic growth. Other problems include a weak banking system, a poor business climate that discourages both domestic and foreign investors, corruption, local and regional government intervention in the courts, and widespread lack of trust in institutions. In addition, a string of investigations launched against a major Russian oil company, culminating with the arrest of its CEO in the fall of 2003, have raised concerns by some observers that President PUTIN is granting more influence to forces within his government that desire to reassert state control over the economy.

GDP - real growth rate: 7.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2004 est.)

Industrial production growth rate: 7% (2004 est.)

[GarySpFc]

Oh, I forgot to post the CIA World Factbook inflation rate for Russia:

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13.7% (2004 est.)