Putin’s strong increase in diplomatic chips has attracted attention to the prospect of Russian election

　　　　Liberation Daily October 28th Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin has become the focus of attention wherever he goes, which is inseparable from his core position on many hot issues in Europe, and on the other hand, it is closely related to his political fate that he is about to face a choice.

　　　　Profile photo: On October 12th, Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) met with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (middle) and US Secretary of Defense Gates (left) in Moscow. Putin suggested that the United States should not rush to implement the plan to deploy a missile defense system in Eastern Europe. Xinhua News Agency/AFP

　　　　New relations look forward to a new president.

　　　　The 20th EU-Russia Summit on 26th was not a success. Although both sides expressed satisfaction with their "constructive" attitudes and reached some consensus on energy and other issues, the differences in positions on many hot issues in Europe are still irreparable. In particular, the European-Russian Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed by Russia and Europe in 1997 is about to expire on December 1 this year, and the "new partnership" that the two sides aim to establish has not even started negotiations. Ms. Waldner, Commissioner for Foreign Relations and Good Neighborhood Policy of the European Union, pointed out on 26th that the issue may not be resolved until the EU summit in May 2008 at the earliest.

　　　　It is not difficult to see from this deadline that the EU seems to prefer to discuss this issue after the Russian presidential election in March next year. In this regard, in addition to urging Europe and Russia to start negotiations on "new relations" as soon as possible, Putin also stressed in response to a reporter’s question that he has not finally decided whether to continue working in any field, but in any case, the current Russian government structure does not need any change, and he does not want to transfer the presidential power to the government.

　　　　Diplomatic strength adds chips

　　　　No matter at the EU-Russia summit on the 26th or during his previous trip to Germany and Iran, Putin continued to show his diplomatic strength, but this strength did not bring Russia the risk of falling into the "Cold War" again, but made the political chips in Russia’s hands more and more valuable.

　　　　In the EU-Russia Summit, Putin did not use any radical words to attack the US anti-missile deployment in Eastern Europe in view of his "constructive" stance and "moderate" attitude, but subtly compared this incident with the "Cuban missile crisis", thus attracting a "sensational effect" again.

　　　　Putin said at the press conference held after the EU-Russia summit that the Soviet Union had a similar behavior, deploying missiles in Cuba, which led to the "Caribbean crisis". He said: "The current situation is very similar in technology to that at that time. We have evacuated all the remaining bases in Vietnam and Cuba. But on our border, similar threats against China are emerging. " However, Putin immediately stressed that the United States is no longer an enemy of Russia, but a partner, and President Bush himself is his good friend.

　　　　The prospect of Russian election is concerned.

　　　　Over the past 10 years in power, Russia’s economic growth and the improvement of its great power have continuously consolidated Putin’s political status. When Putin came to power, he borrowed Peter the Great’s famous saying, "Give me 20 years and give you a miraculous Russia." Now that the time is just over half, it should be said that neither the people nor Putin himself will give up this dream easily.

　　　　From the current point of view, Putin will still be synonymous with "number one" in the hearts of domestic people. In this case, from songs praising Putin to judo teaching films featuring Putin, the propaganda about Putin’s personal charm is widely circulated among the Russian people and has far-reaching influence. Whether this is done intentionally to meet the needs of the election or not, the political effect it brings is not difficult to imagine.

　　　　At the same time, Putin obviously has the support of major Russian parties, as evidenced by his name appearing in the list of candidates for the Duma election of Russia’s largest party, the United Russia Party. In addition, veteran figures, including the Speaker of the Russian Federation, are trying to find a way to keep Putin as president after 2008 without violating the Constitution. It can be seen that whether Putin stays in office or holds power in other positions is no longer a "private matter" of Putin.

Editor: Li Dan