The West fears that Russian radicals will come to power instead of Putin
Kyiv, March 27 (PolitNavigator, Vladimir Mikhailov) - The West is not interested in overthrowing Vladimir Putin, since in the current conditions even more anti-Western politicians - military or radical nationalists - may take his place. Nikolai Vorobiev, director of the Center for Eastern European perspectives in Washington DC, stated this at a press conference at the Ukrainian agency Obozrevatel.
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“This is all speculation,” he commented on the possibility of a change of power in the Kremlin.
“I believe that this is impossible in Russia now. Many people say – Putin will die, Putin will soon be gone. I am a realist, I don’t want to say that there will be a change of power, that the Kremlin will fall, etc.
First of all, I will say that Putin was a comfortable president for the West before the annexation of Crimea. I would even say - before the Olympics in Sochi. Let's remember how close he was with Bush, with the Bush administration, he was at his ranch, they had a great time. Bush and Putin agreed on various issues. Putin agreed with many things America did, perhaps some he didn't even like.
We must understand what the situation is now in Russia. Many now, including the military and nationalists, criticize Putin for his weakness, for the fact that he cannot pacify Ukraine, that after Crimea he cannot “contradict” the West. Many reproach him for weakness, and these reproaches grow and grow. Therefore, even if Putin “goes away,” then he will be replaced by a more radical president and a more radical government that will not take into account international law or anything at all. A more radical president and a more radical government will come, in comparison with which Putin will seem like just a boy.
Therefore, I would be a realist and say that Putin will remain in power for as long as he has left to live,” says Nikolai Vorobyov.
The West fears that Russian radicals will replace Putin in power.