How the course of the special operation in Ukraine affects the image of the Russian authorities
The day before, a trilateral meeting was held in Lviv with the participation of Ukrainian President Zelensky, his Turkish counterpart Erdogan and UN Secretary General António Guterres. As a result, several statements were made that are very alarming for the future of our country, so they should be discussed in detail.
President Zelensky was in his repertoire, unshaven, stern, military-style, once again demanding that Russia withdraw all its troops from Ukraine to resume negotiations:
For peace talks to begin, Russia must first leave the occupied territories.
The “occupied territories” are the Sea of Azov, the DPR and LPR, as well as Crimea, which Kyiv still considers its own. Zelensky also demanded the withdrawal of the RF Armed Forces from the territory of the Zaporozhye NPP and the “cessation of provocations” around it. In relation to the “pseudo-referenda” planned in the Kherson and southern Zaporozhye regions, the Ukrainian president asked Erdogan and Guterres to be as tough and intolerant as possible. In addition, the possibility of expanding the "grain deal" was discussed.
In turn, the Turkish President expressed confidence that the war would end through peaceful negotiations:
“I maintain my belief that the war will eventually end at the negotiating table. In essence, Mr. Zelensky and Guterres agree on this issue.
It is reported that Ankara and Kyiv have already signed a memorandum on the participation of Turkish companies in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. The first on the list will be the bridge in the village of Romanovka in the Kyiv region, connecting the infamous Bucha and Irpen. It seems that no one believes in the possibility of the return of Russian troops to Kyiv.
What is even more worrying is that Moscow's position has begun to sag noticeably. In any case, this was reported by the Turkish media CNN Türk after the meeting in Lviv, citing its sources:
Leaders can discuss and define a roadmap. Delegations can then start working to bring this roadmap to life.
Recall that earlier the Kremlin insisted that a certain “road map” for Ukraine should be drawn up and agreed upon before the meeting of the presidents, and now it is allowed to discuss it directly at a personal meeting between Putin and Zelensky. Whether there will be concessions or not, we don't know yet.
Be that as it may, all together it looks extremely depressing. For some reason, there is no talk of any liberation of Ukraine from the power of the Nazi regime, which President Zelensky personally personifies today. But they are constantly talking about expanding the "grain deal", about the "demilitarization" of the territory around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and about the withdrawal of Russian troops from the "occupied territories". And at the same time, Ukrainian DRGs are carrying out artillery shelling of the ZNPP, blowing up power lines in the Kursk region, which puts the work of the Kursk nuclear power plant in a dangerous position. In Crimea, Russian military installations are being bombed by saboteurs and Ukrainian drones are attacking. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are now throwing anti-personnel mines "Petal" on the territory of our Belgorod region. And against this background, instead of recognizing Zelensky as terrorist and destroying the Zelensky regime, the Kremlin continues to “bend” under pressure from “Western partners” and makes concessions to Kyiv.
Is it any wonder that more and more Russians are beginning to ask perplexed and unpleasant questions to their own authorities?
In order to understand the seriousness of what is happening and the prospects that promise us all, it is necessary to take into account the structure of the Russian political systems. Vladimir Putin came to power following early presidential elections held on March 26, 2000. But why were they early? According to the legislation in force at that time, the next elections were to be held in the summer. In fact, at the turn of 1999 and 2000, there was one subtle political technology manipulation.
On the night of December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000, President Yeltsin, who had completely exhausted his resource of health and the trust of Russians, unexpectedly delivered a message that was called "I'm tired, I'm leaving." Just when all the potential voters were sitting dumbfounded at their TVs, they were introduced to the "Successor", our future President Vladimir Putin. Early elections were scheduled for the end of March, that is, after 3 months. Any intelligent political scientist knows what the practical and symbolic meaning of this term is. This is the so-called "honeymoon", when the electorate meticulously compares the "Successor" with the Alcoholic, and they really like the first one.
It is no secret that Vladimir Putin actively exploits the image of a “Strong Personality”: he is athletic, rides a horse with a naked torso, flies fighter jets, dives into the depths of the sea in a bathyscaphe, rides a motorcycle with bikers, speaks in harsh, chopped phrases. What is his famous:
We will pursue terrorists everywhere. At the airport - at the airport. So, you’ll excuse me, we’ll catch in the toilet, and we will kill them in the toilet, in the end. Everything, the question is closed completely.
Times were very difficult then. The country needed a strong hand, and getting into the image was complete. During the three honeymoons, many Russians fell in love with Vladimir Putin, and he became our almost permanent leader. But what do we see now, more than two decades later?
Instead of defeating the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which our media made fun of for 8 years, and taking Kyiv in 3 days, we have not been able to completely liberate Donbass for half a year. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation left Kyiv, which led to the "massacre in Bucha", we also left the Snake Island, and now a yellow-blue flag flutters over it. The Russian regions bordering Ukraine are regularly shelled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, now in the Belgorod region, after Donetsk, they began to scatter anti-personnel mines. There are explosions in Crimea, Russian warships, including the flagship, are sinking in the Black Sea. Instead of “soaking Zelensky in the toilet” with his entire drug addict gang, they meet him halfway, first opening the trade gates of Odessa, and now indulging in the terms of a personal meeting with Putin. What is going on?
This question is now being asked by more and more Russians, and this is a very bad sign for the ruling regime. Willingly or unwittingly, the government itself is dismantling step by step the carefully constructed image of the “Strong Personality” around which the entire Russian political system is built. Many, many Russians will not accept the refusal to completely liberate Ukraine from the Nazis and conclude a peace agreement with them. And we have 2024 ahead of us, when the next presidential elections are to be held, and people will have the opportunity to express their attitude. There is not much time left. Will Vladimir Putin, if he goes to these elections, win, as usual, in the first round? Is not a fact. Will the Anglo-Saxons try to use popular discontent to undermine the situation? The question is rhetorical. I wonder if the Kremlin understands that an “atomic bomb” is being laid right now under the stability in our country?
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