Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a signing ceremony on the results of Russian-Argentinian talks at the Kremlin in Moscow April 23, 2015. Reuters/Alexei Druzhinin/RIA Novosti/Kremlin
Wall Street Journal: Putin Vows to Keep Hold of Crimea in Documentary
Kremlin-produced show paints Russian president as nation’s guardian amid declining relations with West
Russian President Vladimir Putin was the subject of a fawning 2½-hour documentary aired on state-controlled television Sunday night that buttressed his image as guardian of the nation even as relations deteriorate with the West.
The documentary, which the Kremlin made to mark the 15 years since Mr. Putin was first named president, comes as his official ratings are hitting records, but Kremlin officials are uneasy about the bite of economic sanctions and a possible comedown from the euphoria over last year’s Crimea annexation.
In the film, Mr. Putin he had no intention to back down from the annexation, which he said righted a historical injustice and violated no laws.
More News On Russian President Putin's Remarks That He Has No Regrets Over Crimea Annexation
Russia's Putin says taking Crimea righted historical injustice -- Reuters
Putin says 'no regrets' over Crimea annexation -- AFP
Putin: 'No Regrets' Over Crimea Annexation -- NPR
2 comments:
"In the film, Mr. Putin he had no intention to back down from the annexation, which he said righted a historical injustice and violated no laws."
The former is true, the latter is rather more questionable, though it perhaps has not violated any more laws than the manner in which Ukraine attained its independence in the first place. And then there are the costs that people in Crimea have to pay for becoming a diplomatic hotspot. Their rights and circumstances certainly don't seem to have been considered very well by anyone in power, whether in Moscow, in Kiev or in Washington. Still, what's done is done (and it may well be better than what they would have faced if they stayed in Ukraine - not because of "fascism" but because of growing political instability that I think would've happened even without Russian interference, if not to such a dramatic extent, and also due to the Yeltsin-style "economic reforms" the Ukrainian government as pledged to embrace).
I think you're quite right Daniel. It just seems though, that we are closing out a long era of action based on principles (the existence of which is debatable) and entering into one of "at least it's the lesser of two evils", or should I say going back to.
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