Espreso. Global
OPINION

Putin is too old to build regime 2.0

1 March, 2024 Friday
21:40

Putin's rather boring speech unexpectedly sparked a lively discussion on one point. It was about replacing the old elites of the 1990s with new ones that grew up on a 'special military operation'

client/title.list_title

Among liberal Russians, interpretations about a new purge and so on immediately began. So, I want to express my opinion, which can be summarized in one message: there will be no global purge. Putin is too old to build a regime 2.0.

True, these elections, as the election of a lifetime emperor, will lead to a change in the country's governance system, where all previous agreements with the elites will be renewed, the Kremlin towers will lose their current powers, and the system will be based on 15-20 elders, each of whom will fight for the right to be a gray cardinal in a particular area of the economy (I will describe the model and who they are in more detail in a study to be released in the second half of March, but the basic difference from the Soviet political bureau is that there is no consensus, at least at the first stage, and all decisions will be made by Putin).

Returning to Putin's statement about purging the elites, we need to understand what his statement means:

  • nullification of the agreement with the Family (Yeltsin). The main reason is that they were declared traitors to the people (in general, the concept of traitor will become very important in the newest lexicon of the Russian Federation);
  • partial nationalization and removal of undesirable businesses (uncontrolled by Putin's inner circle) (following the example of Chelyabinsk billionaire Antipov). This is necessary not only to purge the remnants of theoretically possible opposition financiers, but also to be able to feed the new young generation that will now start a new war for the redistribution of property. Famous names may be involved in this process;
  • creating a narrow stratum of politicians, mostly at the regional level, from among those who are fighting to demonstrate the work of social elevators.

But all these changes will not affect the key players who are now part of Putin's inner circle. At least at the first stage.

P.S. Of course, the topic of the Russian narrative of negotiations and peace is a separate topic, but I would like to draw your attention to how the Russian-controlled "opposition" and, above all, Sobchak, have unanimously said that Putin's message is about peace.

This idea is one of the most important in order to understand how the government will try to break away 7-10% of the relatively monolithic 23% of Russians who say they reject the war and Putin. I will repeat now only what I have been saying for the past few months: the main narrative of Russian propaganda: "Peace-loving Russia wants to negotiate, but Ukraine does not." And when we laugh at the Carlson and Ruriks, we have to remember that these are not only Putin's historical delusions, but also part of the information war.

Source 

About the author: Vadym Denysenko, political scientist.

The editors don't always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Friday
14 February
10:50
Ukraine reports 113 clashes at front on Feb. 13, repels 38 Russian attacks in Pokrovsk sector
10:28
Russian drone with explosive warhead strikes Chornobyl nuclear plant sarcophagus
10:09
Exclusive
Anti-tank trenches, 'dragon's teeth' fortifications are being built around Kramatorsk, Donetsk region
09:51
U.S., Russian, Ukrainian officials to meet in Saudi Arabia, Trump says
09:35
Russia loses 1,200 soldiers, 81 artillery systems, 17 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Thursday
13 February
22:00
Exclusive
Heart of Ukraine: interactive Valentine’s Day installation unveiled at Kyiv’s railway station
21:45
Exclusive
'Starved and tortured': freed Azov fighter reveals horrors of Olenivka prison
21:31
Exclusive
Putin, Zelenskyy will not get everything they want, but peace will be achieved — U.S. Defense Secretary
21:20
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russian army returns to using armored vehicles near Pokrovsk – Ukrainian military
21:10
OPINION
Operation against Poroshenko: strategic move to divide society
20:57
Exclusive
Ukrainian intelligence destroys Valdai radar near Moscow: expert explains how
20:42
Exclusive
Sanctions against Poroshenko might be politically motivated before elections - MP
20:24
U.S. sanctions ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan who issued Putin arrest warrant
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine risks future war as Trump rejects NATO membership and security guarantees
19:56
Fico publishes photo with Putin, says calls Ukraine and EU are "losers"
19:40
Exclusive
Many EU politicians see Ukraine ceasefire as done deal — Espreso correspondent from Brussels
19:25
'Nothing discredits Hungarian officials more than their actions': Ukraine’s MFA on Budapest’s accusations
19:10
Exclusive
"Approaching Mariupol, we realized this was a real major invasion": former POW told about city's defense
18:55
Press release
Kostiantyn Zhevago considers sanctions imposed on him illegal - businessman's press service
18:41
Exclusive
Russian military drills ahead of February 24 were wake-up call - released Azov fighter
18:25
'Any deal made behind our backs won’t work': Kaja Kallas on negotiations with Russia
18:07
'Poland, Europe, entire West need full cooperation': Tusk urges ending disputes over Ukraine
17:51
Hungary’s Orbán slams EU statement on Ukraine peace talks as 'worthless'
17:34
Trump must be more realistic on Russia talks — Ukrainian MP on Trump-Putin call
17:16
Trump's British ally Farage backs Ukraine joining NATO despite past criticism
16:54
Russia deliberately targeted Mariupol shelters marked "Children" and "Civilians" — Azov soldier, released from captivity
16:33
Moldova recovers Russian drone wreckage, summons Russian ambassador
16:15
Two newest Russian radar systems explode near Moscow
15:54
Exclusive
No reason to say Ukraine's fate will be decided behind its back — military expert
15:35
China suggests Putin-Trump summit as solution to end war against Ukraine
15:16
Russia denies talks of recognizing Crimea, occupied territories as Russian in Trump-Putin call
14:53
Secret Gravehawk air defense system for Ukraine unveiled – and it's not what you'd expect
14:40
Ukraine’s parliament work blocked by MPs protesting political repression
14:21
Ukraine's role crucial in peace talks after Trump-Putin call, NATO chief says
13:56
Zelenskyy imposes sanctions against Ukraine’s former President Poroshenko
13:38
Exclusive
"Unprecedented case in nuclear energy history": Expert on Ukraine buying reactors from Bulgaria
13:15
Poland warns Ukraine not to expect NATO invitation to “fall from the sky”
12:54
Trump's ex-advisor: Kremlin drinks vodka straight from bottle after Trump-Putin talk
12:35
Around 7,000 civilians remain in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk as evacuation continues
12:15
Review
Return to pre-war borders is unrealistic: New Pentagon chief's statements at Ramstein and Ukraine's stance. Serhiy Zgurets' column
More news