Copyright © 2021 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Putin’s appearances in public hit record low

Article by: Nina Jobe

In a recent blog post, Irina Zarifian asks “who is giving orders [in Russia today]?” [The graph comes from a recent article in Vedomosti].

putins-public-appearances-charted
Translated by Euromaidan Press

The graph shows the frequency of participation of the Russian president in collective meetings, according to official data.

The graph clearly shows that the frequency of the public appearances of Putin in his 3rd term is actually decreasing.  Putin hardly ever appears at collective meetings, except for a spike in March 2014 ([at the time of the] Crimean referendum).

It is amazing that this is happening against the backdrop of the large-scale turn of state policy toward aggression, a sharp assault on the opposition, aggression against Ukraine and an unprecedented propaganda campaign.  In order to expand such activities, you need a lot of words and documents.  Coordination and orders are needed.  Supporters and performers are needed.  In short, there is a lot to say, and Putin says nothing.  He appears only for [the sake of] protocol.

This means that the deliberative and regulatory rhetoric that guides large-scale political action for a fourth term regime does not come from Putin, at least not from the public Putin.

Since Putin is not only the president [of Russia], but also the Supreme Commander, who in theory holds the “nuclear button” in his hands, this situation raises even more questions.

Who ordered the unfolding military exercises around the perimeter of the Russian Federation?  Who leads the troops in combat readiness?  Previously, you could assume that the excess show of force is just a bluff to intimidate the West and to move freely in Ukraine.  Today’s events, even if it is partly a bluff, are an all-in bluff.

The local conflict has entered a new phase of international confrontation.  Who is managing it?

It is also interesting see that [Putin’s] peak activity is at the beginning of Medvedev’s first term.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!
Total
0
Shares