2000 in Russia Since Putin took office as president [ Putin administration ] Continues. 2008-2012 Until then, he became President Medvejev, but Putin was still in power as prime minister under his administration.
And 2012 Reappointed as President in 2018 Putin, who also won the presidential election, 2024 It has been decided to serve as President of Russia.
In Russia, some criticisms of Putin's long-term administration can be heard, but it seems that Putin's support is overwhelmingly drowned out.
The Putin administration is now stable, but it has never been smooth sailing. Especially 2014 Russia's incorporation of Crimea has been criticized by Western countries and is still subject to economic sanctions.
In addition, prices of natural gas and oil resources, which are Russia's major export industries, have been sluggish for a long time, putting pressure on public finances. In addition, Putin's increase in the pension age has caused strong dissatisfaction among the public, and the approval rating has declined since June 2018.
However, it is true that the high approval rating of the people has supported Putin's long-term administration.
So, this time, I would like to write about why Putin was able to maintain his long-term government while looking at the history of Russia and the Soviet Union.
The Soviet Union has converted Eastern European countries into satellite states
Topographically, on the European side of Russia, the plains are wide and there is nothing that can be a natural fortress. Therefore, it has the disadvantage that it is easy to allow the invasion of enemies.
In fact, 1812 France's Napoleon was invaded by Nazi Germany during World War II, and the Soviet Union * has made great sacrifices. In particular, the German-Soviet war cost 26 million people, including civilian times, and was a terrifying memory for the Soviet Union. * Since then Soviet Union
For this reason, the Soviet Union sought the role of a breakwater in Europe from Eastern European countries, and tried to reduce the risk of direct armed conflict by becoming a satellite state.
After World War II, the Soviet Union, which repelled Germany, which ruled Eastern European countries, was occupying it. Originally, Eastern European countries also had free elections, and the people themselves should have chosen their own political system.
However, Stalin of the Soviet Union did not hold a free election and forcibly inaugurated the Communist Party government, and like the Soviet Union, a one-party dictatorship socialist nation I have done it.
The merger of Crimea is sensitive to the invasion of enemies! ??
Historically, Russia has been invaded by eastern Asia rather than Europe. Mongol Empire in the 13th century Under the control of , 1480 At that time, Grand Duchy of Moscow After gaining independence from the Mongolian Kipchak Han nation, Russia then [ attack is the best defense . ] As much as I say, I am devoted to the war of aggression.
As a result of these territorial expansion wars, it finally became a major power in the 18th century.
The recent merger of Crimea is also EU and NATO It is possible that Russia, which felt that the expansion of Russia was a threat to its own security, was the result of a sensitive reaction.
Russia and the Crimean Peninsula
Ice-free port that does not freeze even in winter The Russian Empire, which was desperately seeking, will advance to the Black Sea coast, which was the territory of the Ottoman Empire after the 18th century. Then, in the latter half of the 18th century, I got the Crimean Peninsula as a stepping stone.
Against this historical background, the Crimean Peninsula is a land of great interest to Russia and a geopolitically important region. So 2014 Even if the conflict with Ukraine broke out due to the forcible annexation and economic sanctions were imposed on Western countries, effective control would continue.
Cold War Soviet Union
The former Soviet Union is made up of 15 republics, which is 1.3 times larger than Russia today.
Also, on the west side of the Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary There were many socialist countries that were the same as the Soviet Union. So the Soviet Union 1949 COMECON (Comecon) 1955 The Mutual Defense Alliance [ Warsaw Pact ] Was established to counter the Western countries.
The socialist nations of Eastern Europe were under the control of the Soviet Union, so [ Soviet satellite nations ] Was called.
It was 1956 that this rule collapsed. It was a withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact in Hungary. The Soviet Union could not forgive this decision, killing civilians who sent troops and resisted, and crushed the government. Also, a move to seek democratization in Czechoslovakia [ Prague Spring ] Occurred, but it was also suppressed by force.
However, after the end of the Cold War, these satellite states became members of the EU, but the Soviet Union had no choice but to stand by. However, it was unforgivable for Russia that Ukraine, which was once one of the Soviet Union, tried to reach the EU.
The response to Ukraine, which has been criticized in the international community but has been well received in the country, has such a historical background.
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the turmoil in Russia
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union and the United States were in an arms race. However, the economic downturn in the Soviet Union made it difficult to sustain, 1985 . Gorbachev Ends the Cold War and rebuilds the Russian economy For [ perestroika ] Has been launched.
Basically, this effort is maintaining a socialist system . Therefore, the reform was halfway and people's lives did not improve. At that time, a conservative coup d'etat against reform occurred, and when Yeltsin took control, the Soviet Union, a socialist country, was dismantled.
The Soviet Union, which consisted of 15 republics, has its own independence, one of which is Russia and Ukraine . is. 1991 It was ...
Yeltsin has become president in Russia, but the turmoil continues.
IMF [International Monetary Fund] Under the guidance of, the abolition of price controls, the liberalization of trade, and the rapid promotion of the privatization of state-owned enterprises will lead to inflation and an increase in the unemployment rate. The spirit of the people is also devastated, crimes are rampant, and security deteriorates.
President Putin appeared at that time, and he gained tremendous support after that.
Reason for Putin's high approval rating
At the time of President Putin's inauguration, Russia was suffering from economic difficulties and the proportion of poor people was as high as 30%. However, as crude oil prices rise, Russia is on a growth track. 2000-2008 The average GDP growth rate has exceeded 7%, and the poverty rate has been halved.
The rise in crude oil prices is due to external factors, but many Russians are [strong> thanks to President Putin . ] I thought.
However, 2012 became the second president. Has entered a period of economic stagnation, and the high cost structure of the industry is holding back and GDP is sluggish. The fall in oil prices has added to that.
Putin then set out to appeal to his patriotism.
2014 In Ukraine, the pro-Russian government was overthrown, and a government closer to the EU was born. Russia, which was once a Soviet territory and wants to prevent Ukraine from entering the EU at all costs, held a referendum in the Crimean Autonomous Region, where many pro-Russian factions live, and said that there were many voices requesting the incorporation of Russia. Incorporate Crimea into Russian territory.
The Russian people are enthusiastic about this, Putin's approval rating rises to nearly 90% at once, and even if the economy is sluggish, the people support Putin, which is a symbol of the country.