On Tuesday, May 7, Vladimir Putin was sworn in for the fifth time as president of the Russian Federation. Except this wasn’t just another swearing-in. The formal ceremony in the Kremlin comes at a fateful, historic moment in Russia’s history both in terms of its complexity and the scale of the challenges and tasks facing the Russian president and people. It can only be compared to the period of Putin’s first inauguration, 24 years ago.
The comparison with 2000
And the point is not that, as then, military operations are taking place on Russian territory and that, as then, terrorist attacks are carried out (in the latter, seven people lost their lives in the Belgorod region, and while there are constant threats of a repetition of terrorist attacks on the Crimean bridge).
Then, in 2000, it was nothing more or less than the preservation of Russia – the question was which path the Russians would choose, which path they would follow: the continuous strengthening of the power of the Oligarchs with the gradual disintegration and collapse of not only great Russia , but also of the Russian Federation or the change in the very principles of governance and in the composition of the elites.
Putin’s course
- Putin took the second route – and pulled the country back from the brink.
- Not because he is some kind of Hercules, but because he put the interests of the people and the country first.
- The people wanted and expected such a leader.
- A man who swore to serve his people.
- Who did not betray him.
- Who did not break his oath.
- Who did not become a puppet in the hands of others.
- Who was not driven mad by the weight and temptations of power.
- A man who truly loves his Country.
reports a report from the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
Undisputed leader
Over the past quarter of a century, Putin has fully demonstrated his professional suitability for the position of president. He became the undisputed national leader. There is no alternative not because of a non-existent dictatorship, but because the people themselves believe so. At the same time, the president has no cult of personality, no giddiness from success. He remained a normal Russian, a person capable of adequately assessing himself, his environment and the situation in the world.
He didn’t succeed in everything
This does not mean that Putin has succeeded in everything and that he is doing things as he and the people wish. But this means that he changes without abandoning his principles and goals, his worldview. Putin is not a revolutionary, but the changes taking place under his administration and thanks to him can be called revolutionary. And we are not talking about the international situation, although these revolutionary changes are clearly visible from it.
Russia has changed dramatically
Russia itself has changed dramatically under Putin, but the most significant changes are yet to come. After February 2022, a new era began – the acquisition of real national sovereignty, independence of national thought and management.
The conflict with the West over Ukraine has turned the Russian ship in a way that should have been done a long time ago, in the way that Putin had already begun to change its course in 2012 and 2014, but now the turn has been made much faster and more surely.
This is not a turn to the East and the South – it is a turn to ourselves, to our historical and spiritual experience, to the awareness and “owning” of our tradition, our path,” the publication says.
The elites
As pointed out, this overthrow could not be tolerated, was not desired and was not accepted by a significant part of the “elite” who resisted it. Some simply ran away (jumped into the sea), others lay low (hid in the hold), hoping the storm would pass and waiting for a return to the old, Westward course.
But there was and will be no return. Our ship will proceed on a new course, despite any storms, threats and curses. Those who do not understand the scale of the changes will be swept away by the tide and by the deck that is allegedly giving them orders. This will be replaced by others who are truly ready to serve the common cause.
Challenges
In the coming years, Vladimir Putin will face enormous challenges – geopolitical, military, personal. But it is precisely the question of forming a new level of management that will become key for him.
Because then he will be able to transfer and trust Russia only to those who love and know her, who are part of her and who want to work for her strengthening and independence.
To those who, like him, truly understand that power is not a privilege, it is not a “profitable place”, but a kind of obedience.
This service to the people and Russia is not a bureaucratic wording, but the essence and meaning of the activity of a state employee, from an ordinary employee to the president.
