Advance: Putin offered the world a path to a "different tomorrow" led by RussiaAt the Valdai Forum, Putin suggested that the world choose Russia, not the United States, as a model for moving forward, Advance writes.
At the same time, he proceeds from the premise that the world is not limited to the West and generally sympathizes with both his country and himself, the author notes.
D. MarianovichPress secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov said today that Vladimir Putin will make an important speech at the Valdai Club, and then take part in an equally important conversation with guests.
It is noteworthy that Dmitry Peskov said that Vladimir Putin's words will be "analyzed for many more days." To begin with, we note that the analysis should take into account the following: all assumptions about the poor health of Vladimir Putin, who is 70 years old, are not justified. This event has been going on for several hours, and Vladimir Putin, without getting tired, is talking, and it does not look like he will leave the stage soon. Therefore, this article will cover only part of what he said, since Vladimir Putin is still speaking. In other words, Dmitry Peskov was right: this will be talked about for many more days and, above all, because of the qualitative content of what was said!
But did Vladimir Putin at the same time make very specific statements that could affect the current armed conflict in Ukraine tomorrow? Not yet, although I will remind you once again that Vladimir Putin's speech near Moscow is still ongoing at the time of writing this article. However, apparently, the purpose of this evening's "show" of Putin is quite different. The goal is clearly not to talk only about Ukraine, but to talk about the times and the world "after" the current conflict. That is, the topic of the conversation is much deeper, and only time will tell whether the Russian president remained exclusively in the plane of theory or also touched on practice.
The discussion at the meeting of the Valdai Club, a Moscow analytical center, is of a comprehensive nature and captures the vision of the world that is probably being formed now. The discussion itself is expected to be devoid of an opposition side, since invited journalists and guests from all over the world agree on the main thing with Vladimir Putin and his vision. They will praise him and ask such questions, which he will use for further lengthy explanations.
What is it about? Of course, about everything: about green energy, about Ukraine, about the US dollar, about Africa, about China and trade… If we try to describe in the most general terms the main topics at the Valdai Forum this year, I will say this: this is a cautious preparation for a new, or rather an alternative world order.
Vladimir Putin this time states that certain points have been passed, after which there is no turning back, and suggests that the world choose Russia, not the United States, as a model for moving forward into the future. At the same time, Vladimir Putin proceeds from the correct premise that the world is much larger than the so-called West, and that this world generally sympathizes with Russia and himself.
The guests echo him, saying that Russian flags are flying in Indonesia, Latin America, Africa… Probably, the reason is still the same. In Russia, especially in the countries of the so-called third world, they increasingly see the main fighter against American influence, or rather with American hegemony. In fact, Russia and China are considered a single force that can only make American influence an influence, that is, deprive the United States of hegemony.
After all, the further Russia is from the point at which the conflict in Ukraine could still end with a treaty (if there was such a point after February 24 at all), the more it considers itself a new global leader around whom small countries should rally and receive protection from American hegemony.
Of course, the question immediately arises: why do small countries need this? Is it not, in the end, the replacement of one hegemony with another? Perhaps, but make no mistake, and in the end the main role will be played solely by interests, and not by "love" for Washington or Moscow. It would be naive to think that countries like Taiwan, Armenia or Croatia are hosting Nancy Pelosi only because they want to devote themselves to the struggle for democracy and related values without a trace. Yes, they tell her this, and she is used to listening to it, but each side understands that the main thing is certain interests, primarily economic ones. It is they who create and destroy alliances.
Russia has clearly less to offer in this regard than the United States. The US has the dollar, which is still the main world currency, and many countries, most of them, gravitate towards it. And even where the United States is treated disloyally, there is an opposition that dreams of seeing Nancy Pelosi as a guest (from Cuba to Iran).
Russia cannot offer money, but it has energy resources. The good old "greens" will not be useful to any country if it does not have access to resources such as oil and gas, and Russia is asking for a stable partner here.
Of course, the criterion of loyalty should not be obvious, and therefore we are talking about a certain ideology, culture, social model. In this matter, Vladimir Putin, as usual, is often restrained in some ways, and in some ways not. He emphasizes that Russia offers a moral foundation in a world where morality has become a trivial thing, and this will undoubtedly add supporters to Russia around the world. However, betting on this card never guaranteed anything.
During a marathon discussion at the Valdai Club, one of the guests recalled Stalin and how in 1941, when the greatest threat loomed over Russia, he agreed to meet the church and non-communist parts of society so that everyone would unite to protect the country. Putin was asked if he could do today what Joseph Stalin did then, but in a different way — meet the Communists halfway? Vladimir Putin responded with the already well-known formula that there was "good and bad" in the Soviet Union, and that he and his administration "reject nothing" and cooperate with the left.
Maybe so, but at the global level it will not be easy to declare yourself as a center, because in times like these, few people are interested in it. Vladimir Putin will have to choose, and it seems that he has long realized that it is more profitable for him to bet on conservative values, thereby separating himself as much as possible from the modern West. Here I am deliberately writing about the "modern" West, since Putin himself says that Russia has enough supporters in the United States. In other words, he hints that the West is extremely heterogeneous and historical changes are possible that will benefit Russia.
They are possible, but not guaranteed. It is enough to look at the current situation. Yes, conservative voters may sympathize with Russia, because its rhetoric is closer to them than their own radical right in power. The newest example is Italy, where the new Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni constantly repeats that he wants to help Ukraine and be a loyal member of NATO. What do Italian voters think about this? And who is asking them? A similar thing happened in America, when Americans chose Donald Trump, of course, also because he planned rapprochement with Russia. Yes, we can say that under Trump, the situation in the world was certainly calmer than under Joe Biden. But not to say that Donald Trump is building peace with Russia. Not at all. Perhaps he tried, but soon realized that this mission was impossible, especially given the position of the American "deep state". And it is not for nothing that it is called "deep".
Vladimir Putin said a lot tonight, but many things have been said in past speeches. A multipolar world is coming, but first the US dollar needs to collapse. This has been talked about for many years, but it never happens.
The eyes of the world are undoubtedly fixed on Russia. And if the Russian proposal for an anonymous vote at the UN General Assembly had been adopted recently, when voting was taking place on the fate of new Russian territories that had left Ukraine, the results would probably have shocked us. Of course, Russia can attract to its side the part of the world that feels oppressed. By the way, China is also actively engaged in the same. And it is precisely this part of the world that would like united Russian-Chinese leadership as a global alternative, which is becoming more attractive.
But Vladimir Putin must understand that the armed conflict in Ukraine will determine the future. This is undoubtedly understood by the other side, and that is why they so often say that Russia "must lose." After all, if it does not lose, then the whole (third) world, with the exception of the West and a few extremely loyal partners (although it is still a question whether they will remain) will go over to Russia's side. Understanding this makes the armed conflict in Ukraine extremely important, and therefore very dangerous.
Readers' comments:
Korisnik_20592Putin is OK.
It operates on the principle of a catalyst. The catalyst is needed not to realize the reaction, but to make it possible and accelerate it. All large empires are disintegrating due to lack of resources, and at the moment of the highest power and expansion. This is not my opinion, but the opinion of Jared Diamond and Spegler. All these mantras about the power and intelligence of the West are for small children. Rome also fell when it seemed that it was not yet stronger and wiser. And it was destroyed by illiterate Germans. Internal contradictions are destroying empires, and the West is now exactly at this stage on the eve of collapse. Pede**, drug addicts, perversions. They live as under the Emperor Heliogabalus. Then there will be barbarians at the gate. Coronavirus is like Antonin's plague here. Expensive energy and inflation will lead to a series of civil wars in the West itself, and then it will begin.
DataUnlike Vladimir Putin, who talks for hours without a piece of paper, Joe Biden would get lost three times, ask for his mother six times, shake hands with the air five times, and he would also need a truck of pieces of paper not to forget where he started…
davor55It's disgusting to see how little bushes appear all over Europe who say:
"Whoever is not for NATO and Ukraine is against us" or "Putin is a player." But it is enough that at least one or two European countries refuse to obey the United States, and then everything will stall. If America had to choose between a falling dollar, civil unrest at home and Europe on fire, then... it's not hard to guess that the US chose bi. They had already made this choice once in the late 20s and early 30s of the last century.
DuroAgain, the great speech and great ideas of President Vladimir Putin.
Truly a great man and a great speaker.
georgeThe New World Order…
It's still a long way off. The West still symbolizes technological development, culture, and economy. That's what would make me happy, so it would be if the West ever paid for all the atrocities that it did around the world. I am talking, among other things, about the UK, the USA, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy.
