A Chatty Putin’s Underlying Message: I’m Still in Charge

The Russian leader’s burst of activity this week has been a departure from November, when he held only one extended public event from Nov. 10 to 20. Most of what President Vladimir Putin said in his marathon of public appearances that began on Monday repeated his past positions, and much of what he said was false.

Yet his string of appearances was also a message in itself: that of a president who, despite an economy sagging under sanctions and Russia’s enormous military losses, is trying to portray himself as healthy, alert and still in charge. Read more

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