A Brief History of Putin, Vol. 3

"Before an assembly of Russian officials and parliamentarians, Putin signed the documents officially reuniting the Russian Federation and the peninsular republic of Crimea, the home base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Crimea had seceded from Ukraine only two days earlier, on March 16, [2014]. The Russian president gave what was intended to be a historic speech. The events were fresh, but his address was laden with references to several centuries of Russian history.

Putin invoked the origins of Orthodox Christianity in Russia. He referenced military victories on land and sea that had helped forge the Russian Empire. He noted the grievances that had festered in Russia since the 1990s, when the state was unable to protect its interests after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

At the center of his narrative was Crimea. Crimea 'has always been an inseparable part of Russia,' Putin declared. Moscow’s decision to annex Crimea was rooted in the need to right an 'outrageous historical injustice.'"

An excerpt from Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin by Fiona Hill and Clifford G. Gaddy

The same narrative Putin used to annex Crimea is being used to justify the Russian invasion of Ukraine: his belief that Ukraine was always a part of Russia, and the missteps of his predecessors need to be corrected. In this final volume of A Brief History of Putin, we will cover the events from 2012 to present day.

2012 - 2018: President

What Putin was doing:

• Putin "wins" his third Presidential term amid accusations of voter fraud.

• Carrying on policies laid by Medvedev, Putin issues orders increasing investment in the defense sector, education, and infrastructure.

• Putin is accused of backing voter fraud in America's 2016 Presidential Election.

What was happening in Russia:

• Domestic tensions arise between LGBT community and state's anti-gay legislation.

• Russia begins an invasion of Ukraine and annexes Crimea despite international outcry, paving the way for the 2022 conflict.

• Military intervention in the Syrian civil war, backing the Bashar al-Assad government.

What was happening in America:

• Barack Obama begins his second term as President.

• Edward Snowden leaks classified documents detailing the extent of spying being conducted by the NSA.

• Withdrawal of troops from Iraq begins.

• America spearheads an international campaign to remove ISIS from power.

• Continued struggles with domestic terrorism, including the Sandy Hook Elementary School, Boston Marathon, and Pulse Nightclub tragedies.

• Donald Trump is elected President.

2018 - Today: President

What Putin was doing:

• Putin "wins" his fourth Presidential term, once again facing accusations of voter fraud, and names Medvedev to a second term as Prime Minister.

• With Medvedev's help, Putin signs legislation that extends his powers as President, including making himself eligible for two more -year terms.

• Putin makes repeated remarks to NATO, demanding the alliance cease Eastward expansion.

• In February 2022, Putin authorizes a land invasion of Ukraine.

What was happening in Russia:

• Russia hosts the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

• The nation faces the COVID-19 pandemic, and several fiscal policies rendering aid to the public are adopted.

• Commissioning of the Power of Siberia natural gas pipeline extending from Eastern Russia to China, strengthening the economic relationship between the two superpowers.

What was happening in America:

• America launches multiple high-ordnance strikes against ISIS in Syria.

• Nuclear tensions between America and North Korea / Iran result in multiple milestones, including the US leaving Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

• Multiple social justice movements emerge to the mainstream, including Black Lives Matter and Me Too.

• Financier Jeffrey Epstein is accused of multiple sex offenses and is found dead in his prison while awaiting trial.

• The nation faces the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Joe Biden is elected President, with a major infrastructure plan being the basis of his platform.

Thank you for reading this edition of The Radar Pulse. This concludes the series on Vladimir Putin. The next volume will give background on how the Russian Oligarchs rose to power. 

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