Vladimir Putin

2022 - 10 - 8

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Image courtesy of "Atlantic Council"

Vladimir Putin has little reason to celebrate on his seventieth birthday (Atlantic Council)

Vladimir Putin marks his seventieth birthday on October 7 but the Russian ruler has little reason to celebrate. For much of his 22-year reign, Putin has ...

His well-documented obsession with Ukraine has clearly clouded his judgment and led him into a series of disastrous decisions that have undone the progress made during the early years of his reign. Elon Musk recently became the latest high-profile figure to argue that Ukraine should cede land to Russia in exchange for peace. However, the tone has become noticably darker in recent weeks following Russia’s bruising defeats in the Kharkiv and Kherson sectors. Worst of all, NATO has expanded on Russia’s doorstep, with both Sweden and Finland abandoning decades of neutrality and applying for membership of the military alliance. However, there are also indications of a mounting protest mood, particularly in poorer regions such as Dagestan where ethnic minorities have already suffered disproportionate losses during the first seven months of the invasion. In the southern Caucasus, Russia has been exposed as toothless amid a new flareup in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Countries throughout Moscow’s traditional sphere of influence have been encouraged by the poor performance of the Russian military and are now openly defying the Kremlin. Most observers in Russia and the West confidently expected Ukrainian resistance to collapse in a matter of hours, allowing Moscow to install a Kremlin-friendly puppet in Kyiv. The courage and determination displayed by the Ukrainian nation during the tumultuous first days of the invasion won the admiration of the watching world and transformed international perceptions. International sanctions make it difficult for Russia to replace the vast amounts of equipment lost or expended in Ukraine, while many question the military value is poorly trained and demoralized conscripts against the increasingly well-armed and superbly motivated Ukrainians. Putin’s woes are not limited to the battlefields of Ukraine. For much of his 22-year reign, Putin has been credited with rejuvenating Russia and returning the country to the forefront of world affairs following the humiliations of the 1990s.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Putin turns 70 with a prayer for his health amid war crisis (Reuters)

President Vladimir Putin turned 70 on Friday amid fawning congratulations from subordinates and a plea from Orthodox Patriarch Kirill for all to pray for ...

His army there is reeling from a series of defeats in the past month. [peasant revolt](/world/europe/ruminating-rebellion-putin-says-state-must-be-strong-2022-10-05/) against Empress Catherine the Great - that he blamed on "the weakness of central authority in the country". "Putin has changed the global position of Russia and forced the world to reckon with the position of our great state." [China and India](/world/putin-tells-modi-he-understands-indias-concerns-over-ukraine-conflict-2022-09-16/), on which Russia is increasingly reliant as geopolitical and economic partners in the wake of successive waves of Western sanctions. But the war in Ukraine has forced Putin to burn through vast amounts of political, diplomatic and military capital. Officials hailed Putin as the saviour of modern Russia while the patriarch of Moscow and All Russia implored the country to say two days of special prayers so that God grants Putin "health and longevity".

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

A gift of 'God': officials hail Vladimir Putin on his 70th birthday (FRANCE 24)

Vladimir Putin for his 70th birthday Friday was gifted a tractor by the Belarusian president and told by the head of Russia's Orthodox Church that "God" put ...

"Putin has changed the position of Russia in the world and made it a nation to be reckoned with!" Kremlin-backed leader of Zaporizhzhia region Yevgeny Balitsky said on Telegram that "thanks to Vladimir Vladimirovich and the people of Russia, the Zaporizhzhia region became part of the great country, reunited with its family." "You gained the reputation of a national leader selflessly devoted to the Fatherland, sincerely loving the Motherland and giving all its strength to it," the Patriarch said. Kirill wished "health and a long life" to the Russian leader, who has been in power for more than 20 years. "God put you in power so that you could perform a service of special importance and of great responsibility for the fate of the country and the people entrusted to your care," the patriarch said, joining a chorus of Russian officials congratulating Putin on his birthday. The Patriarch praised Putin for "transforming the image of Russia, strengthening its sovereignty and its defence capability, protecting its national interests."

Russian Officials Hail Vladimir Putin On His 70th Birthday (Barron's)

The same day, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to three human rights organisations and activists: Ales Bialiatski of Belarus, Russia's Memorial group and ...

"Putin has changed the position of Russia in the world and made it a nation to be reckoned with!" Kremlin-backed leader of Zaporizhzhia region Yevgeny Balitsky said on Telegram that "thanks to Vladimir Vladimirovich and the people of Russia, the Zaporizhzhia region became part of the great country, reunited with its family." "You gained the reputation of a national leader selflessly devoted to the Fatherland, sincerely loving the Motherland and giving all its strength to it," the Patriarch said. "God put you in power so that you could perform a service of special importance and of great responsibility for the fate of the country and the people entrusted to your care," the patriarch said, joining a chorus of Russian officials congratulating Putin on his birthday. Kirill wished "health and a long life" to the Russian leader, who has been in power for more than 20 years. Vladimir Putin for his 70th birthday Friday was gifted a tractor by the Belarusian president and told by the head of Russia's Orthodox Church that "God" put him in power, while the Kremlin held back on celebrations as Moscow faces setbacks in Ukraine.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin gets a tractor for his 70th birthday (BBC News)

It was given him by his Belarusian ally, Alexander Lukashenko, whose country boasts a tractor works. Mr Lukashenko confirmed the news as he visited his fellow ...

[Reznikov called on Russia's military to reject him and refuse to fight his war](https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/10/7/7370732/), saying Mr Putin was "hiding in a bunker rather than standing" with his soldiers. Along with the gifts came praise for Mr Putin for "transforming the image of Russia, strengthening its sovereignty and its defence capability, and protecting its national interests", in the words of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill. Mr Putin's enemies used the occasion of his birthday again to depict him as a war criminal trying to destroy another country while ruining his own. A tractor is one of the odder gifts for Vladimir Putin, as Russia's president, a pariah in the West since his invasion of Ukraine, turns 70. Mr Lukashenko, Europe's self-styled "last dictator" who has been in power even longer than the Russian leader (since 1994) and whose administration is also under Western sanctions, came to St Petersburg with a gift certificate for the Belarusian-made vehicle. Mr Putin was hosting other leaders of ex-Soviet states as the war fanned by his invasion raged.

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Image courtesy of "WION"

From macho man to animal lover: Many shades of Vladimir Putin's life (WION)

Russian President Vladimir Putin turned 70 on Friday (October 7). Russian officials hailed Putin and praised him for his role in modern Russian history.

He once revealed an incident when he was limed falling from a horse. Kirill wished "health and a long life" to the Russian leader who has been in power for more than 20 years. In Russia, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill said that Putin's rule over Russia was preordained by God.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Leader of Belarus gifts Putin a tractor for 70th birthday (ABC News)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has received an unusual gift for his 70th birthday: a tractor.

Petersburg, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus presented Putin with a gift certificate for the vehicle. As the leaders of several ex-Soviet nations met at the Czarist-era Konstantin Palace in St. Putin didn't mention the gift in televised remarks at the start of the meeting when he talked about the need to discuss ways of settling conflicts between ex-Soviet nations.

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

Vladimir Putin is weakened and his opponents are preparing to ... (CBC.ca)

Minyaylo, 37, is perhaps best known in Russia for his efforts to get non-Kremlin affiliated candidates on the ballot for the 2019 Moscow city elections. In the ...

"People will die in the process," he said. A former deputy minister of energy in 2002, of late Milov has been associated with Navalny's efforts to run against Putin for president. Revolutions happen mostly on their own because of the mistakes government's make," he said. "At a certain point, this may look like a salvation to Putin. [wrote](https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/10/04/when-kadyrov-speaks-prigozhin-echoes) on Meduza, an independent news site, referring to the liberated Ukrainian city." His remarks were quickly amplified by Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group, a firm of military contractors. "Putin is very good at holding power, so I don't believe that anything can be done just by people revolting," he said. He hopes it will also contain a commitment by Western nations to ease sanctions and eventually give Russians a chance to return to normal life. With the lost war in Ukraine, the dissatisfaction of the masses, and the paralysis of the state apparatus, the suggestion to find a successor will not look like an act of disloyalty to him anymore," he said. It would all be well and good if it weren't so bad." 24 invasion of Ukraine, with all the risks that brings. "He has moral capital [from being in jail] and he has a lot of ideological followers who are ready to go to work," said Minyaylo, the activist.

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Image courtesy of "The Week UK"

Who are the Kremlin insiders jostling to replace Putin? (The Week UK)

Vladimir Putin “has lost touch with reality”, said Sergey Radchenko in Foreign Affairs (New York). His military defeats, his declaration of partial ...

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Image courtesy of "Evening Standard"

Vladimir Putin gifted tractor from Belarus dictator for 70th birthday (Evening Standard)

Alexander Lukashenko told reporters he used a similar model in his garden.

[Alexander Lukashenko](/topic/alexander-lukashenko) presented his [Russian](/topic/russian) counterpart with a gift certificate for the vehicle. Lukashenko, who has ruled with an iron hand for nearly three decades while cultivating a man of the people image, told reporters he used a model in his garden similar to the one he gifted Putin. [ladimir Putin](/topic/vladimir-putin) got an unusual gift for his 70th birthday on Friday - a tractor.

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Image courtesy of "Politico"

Pentagon: No sign Putin is planning to use nukes after Biden's ... (Politico)

The Pentagon said Friday that it still has seen no indications that Vladimir Putin is planning to launch nuclear weapons after President Joe Biden warned of ...

But if Putin chooses to go down that route, the West may not have much advance notice, officials warned. “I don’t think there’s any such thing as the ability to easily [use] a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon.” Where does he find himself in a position that he does not only lose face but lose significant power within Russia?” Patrick Ryder told reporters that the department does not have any information that would cause it to change its nuclear posture. officials told POLITICO that nothing has changed on the nuclear front in the past 24 hours. is taking Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons, Defense Department spokesperson J.

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

'Armageddon' warning reflects Biden's instincts about Putin (The Washington Post)

President Biden's warning this week that Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons amounted to the most serious “prospect of Armageddon in 60 years” was not ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

In Dealing With Putin Threat, Biden Turns to Lessons of Cuban ... (The New York Times)

President Biden has mused publicly on whether there might be an “off-ramp” for nuclear threats from the Russian leader that invoke Cold War rhetoric.

Of course, that is exactly the kind of assessment Mr. Early this year, he demanded that NATO sign a treaty that would have essentially rolled the alliance back to what it looked like in the late 1990s. Then, of course, there is the possibility of attacks on energy infrastructure — perhaps similar to what happened last week, mysteriously, to the So it was a surprise that the first member of the administration to talk openly about how to avoid forcing Mr. But behind closed doors, some Western diplomats and military officials say, that is exactly the conversation that may have to happen if the goal is to balance winning back territory against preventing Mr. Biden’s description of the risks into a strategy that fits the moment. [in eastern cities like Lyman](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/01/world/europe/lyman-ukraine-russia.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-russia-ukraine&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_top_links_recirc), Ukraine is pushing farther into Russian-held territory [in the south](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-russia-ukraine&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_top_links_recirc), expanding its campaign as Moscow struggles to [mount a response](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/05/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-russia-ukraine&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_top_links_recirc)and [hold the line](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/03/world/europe/russia-disarray-ukraine.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-russia-ukraine&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_top_links_recirc). Nonetheless, the main message that Mr. American officials said they were not aware of the plan ahead of time and that they had admonished Ukraine over it. They have offered no details, knowing that secrecy may be the key to seeking any successful exit and avoiding the conditions in which a cornered Mr. It is a hard topic to talk about in public for most officials, for fear of inducing public panic or market sell-offs. President Biden’s declaration on Thursday night that the world may be facing “the prospect of Armageddon” if President Vladimir V.

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Image courtesy of "The West Australian"

Vladimir Putin marks 70th birthday as Ukraine pressures rise (The West Australian)

Celebrations have been low-key for Vladimir Putin's 70th birthday as the Russian leader faces setbacks in his invasion of Ukraine and unprecedented dissent.

Cancel anytime.

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Image courtesy of "SBS"

Joe Biden says Vladimir Putin 'not joking' about nuclear weapons ... (SBS)

The US president says the world is facing its biggest nuclear threat since the Cuban Missile Crisis, as Russia threatens to use the powerful weapons in its ...

"In Zaporizhzhia, after the first rocket strike today, when people came to pick apart the rubble, Russia conducted a second rocket strike. He also said that investigators had found evidence of 22 "torture rooms". The total included 447 bodies found in Izium. Vladimir Solovyov, one of the most prominent Russian talk show hosts, said on his channel. "There are successes in the east as well. "Do you think time is on our side?

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Biden's chilling 'Armageddon' warning sharpens the stakes with Putin (CNN)

To learn that an American president is talking so frankly about the possibility of nuclear "Armageddon," as Joe Biden did Thursday, is bone chilling.

All of his previous tactical assumptions and decisions in Ukraine have backfired and don’t show the kind of strategic caution and clear thinking that is critical when the question becomes whether or not to use nuclear weapons. “The fact is that President Putin and Russia have shown absolutely no interest in any kind of meaningful diplomacy. And if and when Russia shows that it has any seriousness of purpose, about engaging in such diplomacy, we’ll be ready, we’ll be there. Biden has been scrupulous in trying to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia over Ukraine even though Putin has styled the conflict as a showdown with the West. Ukraine is in no mood to talk after suffering an unprovoked invasion that has caused human carnage, especially as it now appears to have Russian troops on the run. Biden’s comments on Thursday underscore the burden that he now shoulders since the first president since the end of the Cold War more than 30 years ago who faces the frightening reality that nuclear war with Moscow is possible. In other words, Biden may be reasserting a measure of deterrence after Putin warned that he was not bluffing over his threat to possibly use a nuclear bomb. The White House says it has warned the Kremlin that such a decision would be “catastrophic” for Russia but has not said publicly exactly how they would respond – though there is speculation NATO might get involved and directly target Russian forces, a scenario that could lead to a dangerous escalation with Moscow. Biden’s remarks, at a fundraising event in New York, could open him to criticism by political opponents that he is speaking in an inartful way about nuclear war – and at a political fundraiser of all places. There has also been no shift in the US nuclear posture, the official said. But Biden’s musings do appear to offer a window into his thinking as he games out how this crisis ends. Presidents are often less guarded during political fundraising events, which are usually not on camera even though a press pool is allowed in for some remarks.

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Image courtesy of "The Japan Times"

Putin 'in a corner' with options narrowing (The Japan Times)

Paris – U.S. President Joe Biden admitted this week that American diplomats still did not know how Russian President Vladimir Putin could bring an end to ...

If this does not resolve the issue or you are unable to add the domains to your allowlist, please see Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites. This could be due to a conflict with your ad-blocking or security software.

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Image courtesy of "NDTV"

Vladimir Putin Gets A Tractor For His 70th Birthday (NDTV)

Vladimir Putin for his 70th birthday Friday was gifted a tractor by the Belarusian president and told by the head of Russia's Orthodox Church that "God" put ...

"Putin has changed the position of Russia in the world and made it a nation to be reckoned with!" Kremlin-backed leader of Zaporizhzhia region Yevgeny Balitsky said on Telegram that "thanks to Vladimir Vladimirovich and the people of Russia, the Zaporizhzhia region became part of the great country, reunited with its family." The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church since 2009, Kirill has been a vocal supporter of the military operation in Ukraine. "You gained the reputation of a national leader selflessly devoted to the Fatherland, sincerely loving the Motherland and giving all its strength to it," the Patriarch said. "God put you in power so that you could perform a service of special importance and of great responsibility for the fate of the country and the people entrusted to your care," the patriarch said, joining a chorus of Russian officials congratulating Putin on his birthday. Kirill wished "health and a long life" to the Russian leader, who has been in power for more than 20 years.

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Image courtesy of "The Jerusalem Post"

Putin receives tractor, mountain of melons for 70th birthday (The Jerusalem Post)

From tractors to melons to special prayers, what would you give Russian President Vladimir Putin for his birthday?

And politicians and local leaders lashed out at the Russian leader on social media. The bridge was set ablaze; Ukrainian involvement has not been confirmed. As the leaders from Armenia, Belarus, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan met at the Czarist-era Konstantin Palace in St. The explosion, which witnesses said could be heard kilometers away, took place around 6 a.m. Petersburg, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus presented Putin with a gift certificate for a tractor. Confirm him in wisdom and spiritual strength, for all; Lord hear and have mercy," he said.

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Image courtesy of "The France 24 Observers"

Viral video of Kim Jong-un meeting Vladimir Putin is actually from ... (The France 24 Observers)

Twitter users have been sharing a video that they claim shows Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Moscow on ...

Twitter users have been sharing a video that they claim shows Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Moscow on September 30. The video showing the two men was filmed at that time. The video is credited to the Associated Press. At the time, North Korea was clashing with the United States over denuclearisation and wanted to secure Russian backing. It was filmed during a summit between the two leaders in Vladivostok, Russia. "In an unprecedented visit ...

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Image courtesy of "Far Out Magazine"

Watch Vladimir Putin deliver a pitch-perfect rendition of Radiohead ... (Far Out Magazine)

A few years ago, conspiracy theorists derived that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a fan of Radiohead and 'Creep' seems to be his karaoke go-to.

I would like one day, as a stunt, to arrange for all of the pupils in Abingdon School to stand up in chapel and sing an organ arrangement of this song.” The viral video, seen below, shows Putin appearing to sing ‘Creep’ in a karaoke performance in front of a swarm of elated Russians. I mean, isn’t it a bit weird that both signed their first employment contracts at the age of 23, Putin with the KGB and Yorke with EMI?

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Image courtesy of "NEWS.com.au"

Danger as Putin is 'cornered like a rat' (NEWS.com.au)

Danger as Russian president Vladimir Putin is 'cornered like a rat'. Vladimir Putin is “like a cornered rat” and at his most dangerous – but is the use of ...

But the war still has many months to run.” The one thing he has to do is admit he has failed. The defeats sparked fury in Russia. “The one thing he can’t do is stop. “I would bust him down to a private and send him to the front to cleanse his shame in blood.” In his speech to a hall full of dignitaries, he accused the West of “Satanism” and the US of setting a nuclear precedent by bombing Nagasaki and Hiroshima in the Second World War and vowed to use “all means necessary” to defend his new lands. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov reacted to the loss of Lyman by calling for the use of “low-yield nuclear weapons” and lashing out at the General Staff for shielding “incompetent” leaders. In a panic, Putin ordered the mobilisation of 300,000 reserves and a series of sham referendums to ask residents in occupied areas if they wanted to be part of Russia. The US and the West have said in public and private that any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a “decisive response”. In a sign of the despot’s desperation, he last week threatened for the umpteenth time to unleash nuclear weapons to defend the biggest illegal land-grab since the end of the Second World War. Vladimir Putin is “like a cornered rat” and at his most dangerous – but is the use of nuclear weapons really a possibility? Time is running out for Vladimir Putin: his troops are losing the war in Ukraine and the knives are out in Moscow.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

'Humiliated': Putin facing harsh reality, 'unthinkable' plan (New Zealand Herald)

President Vladimir Putin is confronted with a debacle of his own creation. His troops are in retreat. His citizens are fleeing conscription.

He attacked acceptance of gay and transgender rights as a "denial of man". (Kadyrov should be) "sent to the front to wash his shame off with blood." "I think the vast majority of people in Russia are apolitical," he said. "They weren't talking that way in February," McFaul says. Let me have Donbas and Crimea, the places I was basically controlling before he invaded again in February,' I think there'll be a lot of leaders around the world that might support him," he told NPR earlier this week. "Send all these pieces of garbage barefoot with machine guns straight to the front … "The expressive statement by Kadyrov is not entirely in my style. "Spinning defeats as temporary setbacks can only work for so long," Associate Prof Sussex said. A similar number has already fled the country to dodge his draft. He might even use nuclear weapons." "He will double down. His troops are in retreat.

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Image courtesy of "The Canberra Times"

Russia-Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin is losing on morale and ... (The Canberra Times)

Volodymr Zelensky warns against a weak response to Russia's nuclear blackmail.

This is extremely dangerous, she says, because this is such a unilateral instance of aggression in the case of Ukraine. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community brought me to political journalism, where I've covered seven federal budgets, four national elections in two countries, Defence, public service and international governance. This is one of Russia's primary narratives, but it has also promoted conspiracies that de-legitimise authority of independent media and governments. For Ukrainians and their supporters, it can be tough to watch. "It's not even a matter of digital literacy anymore ... "I don't believe that puts us at risk - I think that makes the world will be a safer place if Ukraine wins this war," Dr Mycak said. "I'm all for supporting Ukraine in a measured way. "We have a historic opportunity to set a precedent ... She volunteers with the Ukrainian Association of Sydney. But you don't want them to push so hard that Putin feels he's got no option but to press the big red button," Professor Blaxland says. I think that's something that Australians have been very, very strongly affected by - that's why we've seen great bilateral support from Australia," Dr Mycak said. More than seven months after the invasion began, is it nearly at an end?

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Image courtesy of "Asia Times"

Has Russia's far-right outflanked Putin? (Asia Times)

Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 this year, the Kremlin has sought by every means to minimize the reality of war. The description of the.

[including the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov](https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-2), it is doubtful: whatever the outcome of the war in Ukraine, nationalist pressure is likely to become a [serious and lasting threat](https://theloop.ecpr.eu/russias-failures-in-ukraine-could-threaten-its-domestic-stability/) to Russia’s internal stability. For instance, nationalist veteran Alexander Sevastyanov [insists](https://www.apn.ru/index.php?newsid=41851) that the war in Ukraine constitutes “the Ukrainian project’s frontal opposition to everything Russian.” [The Conversation](https://theconversation.com) under a Creative Commons license. [the Kremlin’s statements](https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-says-russia-must-undergo-self-cleansing-society-2022-3?r=US&IR=T). Will the Kremlin be able to channel the growing warmongering zeal? Here, Russia is defined as an imperial entity dedicated to expanding its borders in the space of the former Soviet Union. Despite these differences of interpretation, both camps agree on one point: victory must be achieved at all costs, even if this means deploying the nuclear arsenal onto Ukraine. One of the keys would be irredentism, preferably peaceful but also bellicose if necessary. As a result, nationalists are currently urging the Russian state to hit Ukraine harder. With the exception of a It emphasizes the greatness of the Russian state in the face of the outside world, i.e., the West, and encourages the state to exercise its domination over various spaces and populations, both Slavic and non-Slavic. It seeks to blur the boundary between war and peace.

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Image courtesy of "Salon"

Putin really could fall — but will that help the West as much as we ... (Salon)

A hundred years of Russian experiences with overthrowing autocracy suggest only another turn in a depressing cycle. Americans tried but failed to arrest that ...

The demagoguery of Trump and his Fox News heralds is more a symptom of this spreading virus than the main cause of our crisis. [Putin entering the Kremlin](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LiKDRBJ5B0), which I posted here in Salon with another [warning about him](https://www.salon.com/2022/05/05/we-must-defeat-the-enemies-of-democracy--but-that-doesnt-just-mean-putin/) a few months ago. But the new technologies and other arrangements have also intensified top-down surveillance, indoctrination and control in increasingly subtle and even seductive ways in the hands of rulers in Hungary, Singapore, Turkey and other countries whose elites are more imaginative than Czar Nicholas II or Joseph Stalin and their legatees. Huge upheavals in technology, economics, communications, migrations and demographics over these past hundred years have exposed the bankruptcy of fear as a social glue and have weakened the grip of old-style authoritarianism. The reason is that autocracies that are run mostly on fear — on domestic terror — drain their people of the spontaneous energy and comity, or love, that can sustain a healthy society. [The Unconquerable World:](https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-us/suite) [ Power, Nonviolence, and the Will of the People](https://bookshop.org/a/2464/9780805044577)," Jonathan Schell reminded us that revolutionary Bolsheviks were surprised that the imperial regime fell quickly and with little bloodshed.

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