Putin's legitimacy: Will the West recognize him?

After Putin's nomination in the elections, Russian "political experts" cautiously started suggesting that the West would be compelled to acknowledge these elections.

Undoubtedly, there will soon be another dispute in Ukraine on this matter.

So, as the debates kick off, we need to address a crucial question: Does the West have the option to reject recognizing these elections? The somewhat painful answer is no, it does not.

Should we actively urge the West not to acknowledge his presidential legitimacy? Yes, but with caution, so as not to undermine our own position. Our primary goal is to maintain the coalition with Western allies and strive to increase Putin's isolation. All actions should be approached from this perspective.

Another vital point arises here. Tackling this issue and similar ones will be the main disinformation tactic of the Russians in 2024. We must prepare diligently for this. The Russians have significantly shifted their disinformation strategy in recent months, moving away from direct confrontations and focusing on exploiting deep-seated issues and fears among Ukrainians. Given our tendency to avoid critical thinking and seek quick solutions, this Russian strategy could be effective, particularly amidst a resurgence of internal political conflicts in Ukraine.

What's the solution? We need to be more astute. We've done it before, and hopefully, we can succeed again.

Source

About the author: Vadym Denysenko, a political scientist.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.