Putin Draws up the Russian Strategy

Nasser Qandil

The annual press conference of the Russian President Vladimir Putin was not an international nor regional issue. It is rather, traditionally, devoted to the economic situation on New Year's Eve. However, due to the complexity and intersection between crises and problems, especially the link between the economic dimension and the siege and sanctions imposed on Russia, in addition to the war of prices on the oil and gas markets on the one hand, and the Russian people's wondering over the [possible] effects of the battles Russia is engaged in on the economic and social levels, as well as their effects and orientations on the other hand, the annual press conference became a non-traditional occasion to announce some stances that way exceeded the subject of the conference.

Despite the indications Putin made to the different agreements with Washington, especially regarding the decision relating to Syria in the Security Council and the New York meeting's agenda, the general atmosphere of Putin's speech expressed the number of problems present between Moscow and Washington. It is mainly on the level of his evaluation of the American view toward Russia and the way it deals with it. This is based on chasing the wall that was moved from Berlin to the Ukrainian borders, in addition to the superior tone and the continuous seeking to disable the Russian bear from its canines and claws, preventing it from any chance to eat the honey. Between Russia and America there is a crisis of the system of values and morals, according to Putin. It is rather a crisis of mutual views towards the standards that are sought after in international policy.

On the regional level, the most notable [comments] were the strict words of Putin to the Turkish president and his government. Putin put the issues within a closed circle that does not lead to any agreement with this leadership and this president. Regarding the vitality of the Russian-Turkish relationship according to Turkey, Putin was calling for Erdogan's departure as the only way to neutralize Russian relations with Turkey. However, he continued his offensive attack on the Turkish President in which he described the downing of the Russian jet as an attempt "to lick some American thing". It is very rare that a president of a state talks about another president with this language.

Putin used Russian strength as he talked. He used some challenging expressions. Russia, indeed, does not need a permanent base for its forces in Syria, because if it wanted to reach someone then it can reach him wherever he was, and by any means. On the Turkish level, Putin said that he challenges any Turkish plane to just fly in Syrian airspace. As for the Russian army's abilities, Putin considered it the strongest force in the world for the first time.

With respect to Syria, Putin said that an agreement was made with Washington that dealt with the UN draft resolution and the coordination of the New York meeting. However, Putin was strict when he stressed that Russia will not allow any foreign power to decide who will govern Syria...

Source: al-Binaa' Newspaper, Translated and Edited by website team