Putin's new term in office

Putin, as he enters another term in office faces huge challenges - internally, as he tries to manage the economy and raise the living standards of Russians as externally, he faces the Empire which is determined to destroy him and his country.

The 'popular opposition' that is referred to in western media is one of neb-liberals who want to take their country BACK to the 1990's and are thus reviled beyond a small minority of what may be called Atlantic Integrationists in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Back to the 1990's and into the arms of the Empire.

In other words they are a Fifth Column who are being treated with kid  gloves by the Russian state.

Putin’s Inaugural Address - The President Outlines the Immense Challenges Facing Russia

From Pepe Escobar

SO WHAT DOES PUTIN WANT?

Well, he already got the cool lim.

But what’s been raking our brains 24/7 is how his next cabinet will be formed.

This is a VERY good report on Pravda debunking the notion that former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin will be the government’s new top man trying to mend fences with the West.

http://www.pravdareport.com/…/04-05-2…/140909-russia_west-0/

Paul Craig Roberts also did a good piece about it. John Helmer had reported about Kudrin on his blog. PCR graciously quoted Helmer and myself on his piece.

https://russia-insider.com/…/russia-washingtons-nex…/ri23379

I had written about what I consider the best probability, after talking to other analysts: a sort of war cabinet to go all in and fight the war against the usual suspects on Russia’s term:

http://www.atimes.com/…/popular-putin-prepares-for-cold-wa…/

Now apparently Putin has taken another turn, suggesting Medvedev again as PM – to be confirmed by the Parliament.

https://www.rt.com/pol…/426025-putin-introduces-medvedev-pm/

It ain’t over till a fat Russian lady sings. This next cabinet is beyond crucial – graphically showing all we need to know about how Putin plans to confront/cunningly evade the usual suspects.

Whereas the ex-Ambassador goes partially along with the narrative, as with the 'popular opposition' that is not popular at all he makes it clear that Putin is a popular and forward-looking leader that is more 'in touch' than any national leader.

'Not a great joker' - Russia's ex-UK ambassador on Putin


Vladimir Putin has been sworn in for a fourth term in office at a ceremony at the Kremlin. Addressing the nation Mr Putin says improving the lives of ordinary Russians would be the focus of his next six years as president. Opponents have likened his eighteen years in power to the reign of a tsar. Sir Tony Brenton is a former British ambassador to Russia. He discusses the implications with Susie Ferguson.