The conflict in Ukraine continues and does not seem to be coming to an end anytime soon. The invasion of Ukraine, and the war crimes committed by the Russian army, have permanently tarnished the Kremlin leader's image internationally, but he seems to remain popular inside Russia, so far.
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Since the invasion, some people have expressed their intention of removing the Russian president from his office in the Kremlin, and the president has survived alleged assassination attempts. A voluntary resignation and possible successors to Putin's post have also been discussed several times, but it seems he is not ready to give up his seat.
Resignation is not an option
Resignation is said to be out of the question for Putin, as long-time Putin expert Fiona Hill explains. According to Focus Online, the Kremlin leader intends to remain in office until he dies - regardless of how. Resignation is not an option for the Russian president. She said, in German
Er will im Amt sterben. Egal auf welche Weise
Which translates to:
He wants to die in office. No matter in how
As the security expert Fiona Hill, who has advised several US presidents on Putin issues, continues, the Russian president's actions, especially with regard to the Ukraine war, are driven by some strange ideas.
Putin dreams of a Russian empire
According to Fiona Hill, Vladimir Putin is holding on to the idea of a great Russian empire, composed of every country that was once annexed by Russia, at some point in history anyway. For Putin, the only thing that matters is to restore the historical greatness of his country - for him, these are not relics from the past, but accurate plans for the future.
The Putin specialist also has a clear opinion on why Russia started the war in Ukraine in the first place. According to her, Putin became 'paranoid' during the Covid-19 pandemic because he was suddenly cut off from anyone who could have talked him out of his ideas. Resigning would only diminish the 'historic greatness' Putin aspires to, seeing himself on a par with the great tsars of Russian history.
Read more:Vladimir Putin: How long can the Russian President stay in power?
This article has been translated from Gentside DE.
Sources used:
Focus Online: Rücktritt unwahrscheinlich: Putin-Kennerin: 'Er will im Amt sterben. Egal auf welche Weise'