Putin is seen as a leader seeking to enter history through war, drawing comparisons to great Russian historical figures such as Peter the Great. Ultimately, this conflict risks leaving Russia in a position similar to the historical crises of great powers that lost their global influence.
By Marco IMARISIO
“We don’t want to, you won’t catch us on your internet!!” – The song is entrusted to a former well-known star of the Russian music scene, while behind it a group of children sing and dance enthusiastically. A scene reminiscent of a North Korean-style propaganda.
The state’s remote control is increasingly being used as a propaganda tool: state television broadcasts messages several times a day aimed at convincing the population that a life without the internet, or only with an internet controlled by the Kremlin, is acceptable. A model that increasingly resembles the Chinese one…
Meanwhile, in Moscow, severe restrictions are reported on applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram. This complete blockade can be interpreted in two ways: on the one hand, as another sign of Vladimir Putin’s continued suspicion of the capital and fear of internal movements; on the other, as a test for further tightening of civil liberties, perhaps on the eve of a new mobilization.
In this picture, one thing seems clear: the war in Ukraine is not simply a conflict for Russia, but a personal project for Putin.
For him, international talks have been nothing more than a way to buy time and create the illusion of a peaceful solution. In reality, the goal remains the same: to consolidate control over the Donbas territories and present a “victory” that can be sold as a historical success. In this view, global developments, from other international tensions to US moves, are also serving the Kremlin. Rising energy prices and the easing of some economic restrictions could bring temporary benefits to the Russian economy, giving the regime a new impetus.
Meanwhile, statements such as those of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, or critical comments towards NATO and the US, are interpreted in Moscow as evidence of the weakening of opponents.
For the Kremlin, the priority is clear: continuing the “special military operation.” Everything else: diplomacy, economics, or international relations, remains secondary.
From this perspective, Putin is seen as a leader seeking to enter history through war, drawing comparisons to great Russian historical figures such as Peter the Great. Ultimately, this conflict risks leaving Russia in a position similar to the historical crises of great powers that lost their global influence.
But for Putin, the most important thing is to push the war forward and delay the moment when Russia will face the consequences of its actions. (Corriere della Sera)