Russian President Putin Shows He Is In Control

Russian President Putin. RIA Novosti / Michail Metcel

With Punishments Or Pardons, Putin Shows He Is In Control -- New York Times

MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin’s freeing of Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky, Russia’s best-known prisoner, by swift, personal fiat capped a remarkable string of single-handed decisions of late.

On Tuesday, he outmaneuvered the West for sway over financially troubled Ukraine with a unilateral decision to provide $15 billion in loans. On Wednesday, at his direction, Parliament passed an amnesty bill that could free thousands of prisoners. On Friday, he pardoned Mr. Khodorkovsky, the former Yukos oil tycoon and onetime aspiring political rival.

That was just last week.

Earlier this month, Mr. Putin shocked Moscow’s political and media circles with a surprise announcement that he would remake RIA-Novosti, the semi-independent state news agency, under the direction of a Kremlin loyalist.

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My Comment: He is definitely on a "roll" right now.

Update: He is even trying to appeal to Conservatives .... Vladimir Putin, Conservative Icon -- The Atlantic. But my prediction is that he will not succeed.