Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov used a forbidden word in front of the Russian people during his weekly press conference: ‘WAR’. This term, for the first time officially, referred to the ‘special military operation’ initiated by President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine in February 2022.
Peskov, in response to a question about the operation being officially described as a ‘war’ by state officials, stated, “Yes, this is a war. However, it is not just Russia’s war, but also a war with the collective West.” This declaration clearly announced that the military operation initiated by Putin has transcended being merely a regional operation and has become an international conflict, a ‘war against the West’.
Previously, the use of the word ‘war’ was banned for journalists, and those who used it were often punished. 20,000 Russians have been detained, fined, and imprisoned for their statements about the war, which has been ongoing for nearly two years. Russian parliamentarian Aleksey Gorinov was sentenced to 7 years in prison for using the word ‘war’. Hundreds are still behind bars due to radical anti-war actions. The lifting of these restrictions shows the Kremlin’s need to describe its operation more openly.
Moreover, this change is not just a matter of semantics but also signifies the operation’s escalation to an international dimension, defining it as a conflict with the ‘collective West’. The Putin administration positions the operation not just as a conflict limited to Ukraine but also as a struggle against the West.
This situation further strains the Kremlin’s relations with the international community. The operation’s designation as a ‘war’ could deepen Russia’s economic sanctions and international isolation. It may also affect the Russian people’s support and sensitivity towards the operation.
This development came in the same week as the mysterious death of Vladimir Putin’s greatest rival, Alexei Navalny, in a Russian prison. With the presidential elections just weeks away, Putin’s display of authoritarian power is a familiar scenario. However, the weekly press conference’s claim that Moscow is at war with Washington is not something we are accustomed to.
International Pressure on Russia Could Increase While making this claim, the Kremlin often uses the phrase ‘collective West’, targeting the 31 NATO countries and the European Union’s 28 countries. Kremlin Spokesman Peskov’s statement, “It is a war when the collective West countries led by the USA are directly involved,” has created tension in European countries.
Russia’s leading commentators have been extensively discussing the realities behind the declaration of war. It’s evident that Putin longs to return to the post-World War II era of 1945, when Soviet influence peaked. It seems someone has made a move against Putin, and the Kremlin has started to articulate that negotiations with the West have failed.
The declaration of war by the Kremlin came on the day the Ukrainian intelligence destroyed a significant Russian landing ship. Russia’s declaration of war reveals economic and strategic dimensions. The operation is part of an economic and political strategy, beyond just a military conflict. The Kremlin’s inability to negotiate with the West is linked to Putin’s desire for a stronger position in the international arena.
These developments increase the complexity in international relations, questioning the balance between Russia’s economic and military power. The operation’s expansion from a conflict limited to Ukraine to a global confrontation will increase international pressure on Russia.
Vodka Sales Quadrupled Russians are becoming increasingly impoverished, with the average monthly income falling to the levels of 2013. Even before the invasion of Ukraine, over 16 million people in Russia were living on less than $200 a month. Despite Russia’s natural resources, the poverty of its population is a widely discussed topic.
Putin previously mentioned poverty and healthcare system issues as the country’s major problems. However, instead of solving these, the Kremlin started spending a third of its income on the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin is not concerned with the consequences of the war, struggling to explain to the public how the army has been stuck in the Ukrainian quagmire for two years. By using the word ‘war’, it claims that the whole world is against them.
The Kremlin’s claim that Russia is now at war with the West has plunged the Russian people into a depression. According to a recent report by Kommersant newspaper, the demand for psychological help among people with alcohol dependency has already surged by 85% this year, creating a tsunami effect. The amount of vodka purchased by Russians quadrupled following last year’s mobilization news.
This situation is a true indicator of the atmosphere created by Putin in the country. The public no longer believes in the statements that “everything is going according to plan”. The population has been under pressure since the start of the war. The killing of Navalny and the Kremlin’s official declaration that Russia is at war with the USA, an economy five times its size, only increases the spread of paranoia.
The increasing requests for psychological help are not only a health issue but also a reflection of the general mood and the collapse of trust in society. Economic issues, impoverishment, and the threat of war place a heavy burden on the people.
Putin Follows Erdogan’s Path! Just as there are those who feed on terrorism before every election in Turkey; Putin, too, uses the term ‘war’ to protect his seat before the upcoming elections. Presidential elections will be held in Russia on March 15. However, the fact that the three other candidates support the war in Ukraine and no candidate promising to end the occupation and win the votes of Russians emerges, diminishes hopes.
Putin, although not using the word ‘war’ last Friday, addressed the theme of struggle against the ‘collective West’. Referencing Soviet-era leader Leonid Brezhnev, he criticized the West’s new colonialism, saying, “It is the collective West’s attempts to maintain dominance, subjugate other countries economically, and impose foreign values. Such a policy has become an obstacle to the development of all humanity.”
While Putin opposes the West’s aggression, his country’s military intervention in Ukraine continues. This contradiction reflects the difficult situation Russia is in. The population is struggling with the effects of the war and questioning their leaders’ policies. During this complex period, the contradictions and challenges within Russia are part of not only a military but also a psychological war.
