The President talked about sincerity as a fundamental value that can effectively counter the harsh information war waged against Russia by Ukraine on behalf of the US, and, to a lesser extent, the EU. Russia has moderated its response, helping Ukraine and the US to shine, as the saying goes, in all their beauty and ugliness.

       Vladimir Putin sounded sincere during the Direct Line question and answer session, which sparked an unhealthy interest among his domestic opponents. If comments posted on social networks are any indication, protest-minded public opinion leaders were overwhelmed by emotions, while the President opted for a balanced and cool-headed approach to domestic and international issues and employed the classic Kremlin-style judo techniques.

       The key messages delivered by Putin were mostly conciliatory. “Don’t take this the wrong way... We are ready to wait… We can wait for a month…,” the President said. At the same time, it is now evident that Russia will stop subsidizing Ukraine and the Baltic states, both directly and indirectly, whatever their wishes may be.

       Putin also met expectations by frankly admitting that the “polite people” were deployed in Crimea to guarantee that the referendum is fair. This elaborate tactic enabled Russian military to prevent the Right Sector from gaining a foothold in the region, since it would not have spared the pro-Russian local population.

       The President was rather pessimistic with respect to the prospects of restoring good relations with the EU and the United States. Putin’s comments on the incident with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen who recorded and then leaked their private conversation show that normal human emotions still prevail for the President.

       During the Direct Line, Putin also answered the global political question that was asked from various perspectives and relevant to all who follow international affairs: there will be no war against Ukraine or against the West over Ukraine. Most people rejoiced to hear this answer, although there were also those who were disappointed.

       Putin took care not to denigrate his opponents and showed respect towards those who take a stand against him inside and outside Russia.

       Much was said about the value of human life, and the whole conversation took a philosophical twist, conveying a feeling of trust and almost intimacy to the audience. It is for this reason that the aftertaste of this conversation was pleasant, not bitter.

       The President talked about sincerity as a fundamental value that can effectively counter the harsh information war waged against Russia by Ukraine on behalf of the US, and, to a lesser extent, the EU. Russia has moderated its response, helping Ukraine and the US to shine, as the saying goes, in all their beauty and ugliness.

       The aggression initiated by Ukraine and those behind this “man-made crisis” will inevitably backfire with negative consequences for them.

       These consequences are already apparent: the image of the US continues to deteriorate, while the EU is becoming increasingly aware that assailing Russia, which is and will remain a major commodity exporter and a major market for European goods, would not do it any good. It is hard to underestimate the benefits of this “Great Stand on the Dnieper River” for China and other Asian nations.

       All in all, it was a polite President that we saw during this year’s Direct Line. He explained the reasons and motivation why and how Russia entered a new phase of confrontation with the US and the EU. Or maybe they just imagined Russia entering it?

       Views expressed are of individual Members and Contributors, rather than the Club's, unless explicitly stated otherwise.