Vladimir Putin News
The Daily Signal provides reporting on Putin’s role in Russian aggression, war strategy, and his influence on U.S.–Russia relations, NATO, and international security.
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- News
Russian Dissident Looks to Raise ‘Rebel Army’ in Ukraine to Overthrow Putin
KYIV, Ukraine—Andrei Kuznetsov leans forward, clinches his angular jaw, narrows his sharp blue eyes and says: “I could tell you things that would shock Americans.” For emphasis, the 32-year-old Russian exile then raises his eyebrows and nods as he slowly leans back in his chair and takes a sip of beer. Patrons and servers at…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Cartoon: Putin’s Latest Action
The Heritage Foundation's Lee Edwards wrote about Vladimir Putin's latest aggression earlier this week: Washington policymakers are overlooking a potentially serious foreign policy crisis: the mounting Russian pressure, economic, political and military, on the tiny but strategically located Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Within the Baltic states, all of which have sizeable Russian…Glenn Foden -
- Opinion
Why Putin’s ‘Russification’ Campaign Against the Baltics Should Be Big News for Us
Washington policymakers are overlooking a potentially serious foreign policy crisis: the mounting Russian pressure, economic, political and military, on the tiny but strategically located Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Within the Baltic states, all of which have sizeable Russian populations, Moscow is conducting an intensive Russification campaign. It is, for example, underwriting pro-Russian…Lee Edwards -
- Opinion
Putin Adversary Boris Nemtsov Fought for Freedom in Russia
The barbaric assassination today of Boris Nemtsov, a brave adversary of the Putin administration, is a stark reminder of the grave dangers faced by political dissidents in Russia. Nemtsov’s brutal murder took place in the shadow of the Kremlin against a backdrop of mounting repression in Moscow, implemented by an increasingly authoritarian regime that suppresses…Nile Gardiner -
- News
Putin: ‘No One Should Have the Illusion’ They Can Defeat Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning to the world about Russia’s military capabilities during an address on Thursday. “No one should have the illusion that they can gain military superiority over Russia, put any kind of pressure on it,” Putin said. “We will always have an adequate answer for any such adventures.” The…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
The Ukraine Ceasefire Has Failed. What the US Must Do Now to Check Putin.
The second Minsk agreement, which was supposed to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine and was announced last week, was met with a mixture of cautious hope and healthy skepticism. After all, the belligerents – Ukrainian security forces and pro-Russian separatists – had demonstrated a proclivity for breaking previous ceasefire agreements, leaving little reason to believe…Matthew Rolfes -
- Opinion
Obama Rejects Arctic Oil and Gas Drilling. Is Putin Preparing to Come and Take It?
Will President Obama’s new drilling policy give the Arctic over to Russian domination? The anger, outrage and frustration in Alaska are palpable after the president stripped the state of vast stores of its oil and gas wealth. His reckless offshore oil and gas restrictions reduced Alaska’s Arctic Ocean presence to one exploration site each in…Ron Arnold -
- Opinion
New US International Broadcasting CEO Disses Russian Television … and, Surprise, Putin Doesn’t Like It
Andy Lack, the new CEO of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees U.S. international agencies such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, has identified Russia’s propaganda offensive as one of his job’s major challenges, along with the rise of ISIS on social media and Boko Haram. “We are facing a number of…Helle Dale -
- Opinion
An Insider’s Account of How Putin Uses the Media to Brainwash Russians
If we really knew what is going on in the Kremlin backrooms, where Russia’s information war is being planned, we in the West would be shocked, writes author Peter Pomerantsev in Politico magazine. Audiences within the reach of Russia’s growing media empire are fed cynical media manipulation, hero worship of Russian President Vladimir Putin, rewriting of…Helle Dale -
- Opinion
Putin’s Long Game
Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have picked a bad time to try to restore the Russian empire. Collapsing energy prices are weakening the value of the ruble, causing inflation and depriving Putin of badly needed income. We might expect his troubles to curb his appetite for aggression. Alas, it has not. If anything, the…Kim Holmes -
- News
George W. Bush Says Putin Has Become More of a ‘Zero-Sum-Type Thinker’
Former President George W. Bush today said that in the six years since he’s left the White House, Russian President Vladimir Putin has become more of a “zero-sum type thinker.” Bush, who attempted to mend relations with Putin during his presidency, spoke about how the Russian president’s thinking has evolved in an interview with CNN’s…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Putin May Have Just Lost One of His Best Friends: Angela Merkel
“Saturday Night Live” often acts as a good barometer of what’s going on in the world. Last week, its opening sketch nailed just how grumpy Americans are over President Obama’s executive action on immigration, which kicks the rule of law down the Capitol steps. But later in the show’s “Weekend Update,” a guest appearance by…James Carafano -
- Opinion
Don’t Forget Putin. He’s Still Moving Aggressively.
NATO recently confirmed that Russian tanks were moving into rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine. But Russia’s aggression under Vladimir Putin didn’t begin in Ukraine and, unless the West stops vacillating, it won’t end there, either. After the 2003 Rose Revolution, the nation of Georgia, in the Caucasus, became a staunch American ally. But in 2008, it was…Ted Bromund -
- Opinion
We Haven’t Heard the Last From Putin in Ukraine
Fighting in Ukraine has continued with regularity despite an official ceasefire signed on Sept. 5. In particular, separatists have sought to gain control of Donetsk airport in eastern Ukraine and have launched repeated attempts to take control of it. While the rise of ISIS and the spread of Ebola have made headlines recently, Americans should…Daniel Kochis -
- Opinion
Is Putin About to Attack Ukraine?
Russia could double down on Ukraine anytime now. Undeterred by the West’s questionable response to the tragic Malaysian airliner shoot-down — or the moral and material support to the Ukrainian rebels — or the carving off of Crimea, Russia seems ready to roll. News reports indicate Moscow has bumped up Russian forces near the Ukrainian…Peter Brookes -
- News
Team of Statesmen Rally Against Putin to Stop Russia’s Hosting of 2018 World Cup
Should Russia play host to the World Cup in 2018 in light of its recent aggression against its neighbors? Prominent people on both sides of the Atlantic have begun to raise that question in the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and arming of separatists in eastern Ukraine. Leaders from Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and…Philip Wegmann -
- News
Dianne Feinstein: Putin Needs to ‘Man Up,’ Address Malaysia Airlines Attack
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin today, saying he should “man up” and address last week’s tragic attack on a Malaysian jetliner. Feinstein, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, discussed Russia’s role in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 during an interview with Candy Crowley on CNN’s…Melissa Quinn