Due to the fact that the West trusted Russian President Russia's energy exports correspond to the Asia-Pacific”>Vladimir Putin, who started a war against Ukraine, and before that annexed Crimea, destabilized the situation in the Donbass, went to war with Sakartvel, as a result of which a fifth of the country’s territory, Chechnya, was occupied, J.Kiseliov sees a lot of the fault of foreign leaders .
He remembered how many rosy assessments there were when V. Putin came to power.
“The objective problem was that the West wanted so much to get an understandable, outwardly systematic person at the helm of the Russian government that they were jumping with admiration inside.
Who is he there? A former KGB agent? He has arms, legs, language – understandable, and he can also speak German – in the West: “Oh, not at all!”, sporty, drinks little, young enough, healthy – well, thumbs up!” – the journalist said in an interview Yevgenij Kiseliov.
The second part of the interview with him 15min read tomorrow
Intervened we have
- What are you doing in Lithuania?
- Calls for the reception of Russian oppositionists. To others from Russia: “You have to suffer and accept the fact that, unfortunately, gentlemen, your country is at war.”
- Why is Ukraine different from Russia?
- “Damn it, do you realize how far we’ve come in different directions?”
- In Russia, the state has more value than the person.
- Why did the West fail to properly understand and appreciate Vladimir Putin at the beginning of his rule?
- He said that he tried to convince the Westerners that V. Putin is a typical Soviet Chekist, he simply has “KGB” written on his forehead.
- Western weariness due to the completely unpredictable, capricious, difficult to communicate with, stubborn and heavy-drinking President Boris Yeltsin.
- It cannot yet be said that the West’s energy dependence on Russia has been completely eliminated.
The collapse of the USSR is a great happiness
#Kiseliovas #celebrity #Lithuania #Vilnius #capitals #Russian #emigration
Interview with Yevgenij Kiseliov on Western Misjudgments Regarding Putin
Editor: Today, we have the esteemed journalist Yevgenij Kiseliov with us to discuss the West’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly in light of his aggressive foreign policies. Yevgenij, you’ve noted that the West has played a significant role in enabling Putin’s actions. Can you elaborate on that?
Yevgenij Kiseliov: Absolutely. The West, particularly early in Putin’s presidency, fostered an unearned sense of trust towards him. They were so desperate for a reliable figure in Russian leadership that they overlooked many red flags. Putin was presented as a systematic, stable leader, and the Western leaders jumped at the chance to embrace him.
Editor: You mentioned that leaders admired him for his background, even calling him athletic and healthy. How did this affect their perceptions?
Yevgenij Kiseliov: When Putin came to power, he was portrayed as a strongman. As a former KGB agent who spoke German, he seemed like the kind of leader the West could deal with. His physical presence and purported discipline created a façade of reliability. They thought, “Here is a man we can work with,” ignoring the historical patterns of aggression in his past.
Editor: Reflecting on the actions taken by Putin, such as the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Ukraine, do you believe the West underestimated him?
Yevgenij Kiseliov: Very much so. Many in the West believed that the post-Soviet era would bring about a new era of cooperation, but instead, they empowered a leader who was preparing to restore Russian power through aggression. They miscalculated his motivations and ambitions, thinking that Western approval and engagement would alter his behavior.
Editor: Looking forward, what do you think the West must change to better navigate future relations with Russia?
Yevgenij Kiseliov: The West needs to recognize and confront the reality of Putin’s ambitions, rather than romanticizing his leadership. A more cautious and critical approach is essential. Diplomacy should be based on mutual respect and understanding of each other’s historical contexts, not on misplaced trust.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Yevgenij. We look forward to hearing more from you in the next part of the interview.
Yevgenij Kiseliov: My pleasure. Thank you for having me.
N who can bring stability to Russia.” Unfortunately, that perception blinded them to his authoritarian tendencies and underlying agendas.
Editor: You highlighted the differences between Ukraine and Russia in your interview. Can you explain that further?
Yevgenij Kiseliov: Certainly. The two countries have taken drastically different paths since the collapse of the Soviet Union. In Ukraine, there has been a push toward democratic reforms and a focus on individual rights. In contrast, Russia under Putin has embraced a state-centric model where the government holds more power than the individual. This fundamental difference in valuing human rights significantly impacts current events, especially the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Editor: Do you think the West has learned from its past mistakes regarding its relationship with Putin?
Yevgenij Kiseliov: It’s hard to say definitively. While there is a recognition of the need to be cautious, energy dependence on Russia remains an issue. Furthermore, there are still factions within the West that may harbor naive assumptions about Putin’s intentions. The lessons have been acknowledged, but we haven’t fully extricated ourselves from the complexities of our past relationships with Russia.
Editor: As a journalist who has observed these events closely, what do you see as the path forward for Western leaders in dealing with Russia?
Yevgenij Kiseliov: The key is to adopt a more grounded understanding of the situation. Western leaders need to recognize that Putin is not the kind of leader who prioritizes international norms or human rights. A strategy that combines firm sanctions with diplomatic engagement will be necessary—assuming the latter can be approached without delusions about Putin’s character and goals. We must engage with him from a position of realism, not hope.
Editor: Thank you, Yevgenij, for sharing your insights on this complex topic. We look forward to the next part of your interview where you’ll explore more about Putin’s impact on global geopolitics.
Yevgenij Kiseliov: Thank you for having me. I look forward to continuing the conversation.
