Putin’s Return as Russia’s President

{
  "authors": [
    "James F. Collins"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "russia",
  "programs": [
    "Russia and Eurasia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Caucasus",
    "Russia"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Putin’s Return as Russia’s President

Putin’s expected return to the Kremlin comes as little surprise, but it raises questions about President Medvedev’s future, the role of the Russian prime minister, and the nature of the U.S.-Russia relationship.

By James F. Collins

Published on Sep 26, 2011

Source: Kojo Nnamdi Show

Speaking on The Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU, Carnegie’s James Collins stated that Putin’s return to the Russian presidency does not come as a major surprise to policy experts on Russia. In Ambassador Collins’s view, the larger question is not necessarily how Putin’s return will affect Russian foreign policy, but rather what role current President Medvedev will play and what will happen to the position of prime minister. Under another Putin administration, Collins argued that “we are going to see a great deal of continuity” as Russia continues to struggle with issues such as economic diversification, a declining population, and poor infrastructure.

Collins also suggested that Putin’s return to the Kremlin will not necessarily jeopardize the U.S.-Russia reset. However, Collins concluded that “there is a question about what comes next. How are we going to continue to build some momentum on the positive side and not let just the things that divide us end up occupying the space for the agenda.”

About the Author

James F. Collins

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program; Diplomat in Residence

Ambassador Collins was the U.S. ambassador to the Russian Federation from 1997 to 2001 and is an expert on the former Soviet Union, its successor states, and the Middle East.

Recent Work

Article
Daunting Challenges and Glimmers of Hope in Ukraine
- James F. Collins
Commentary
The Game Changer: Cooperative Missile Defense
- Dmitri Trenin, James F. Collins

Political Reform Foreign Policy Caucasus Russia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Is Frustration With Armenia’s Pashinyan Enough to Bring the Pro-Russia Opposition to Power?
It’s true that many Armenians would vote for anyone just to be rid of Pashinyan, whom they blame for the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, but the pro-Russia opposition is unlikely to be able to channel that frustration into an electoral victory.
Mikayel Zolyan
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Will Hungary’s New Leader Really Change EU Policy on Russia and Ukraine?
Orbán created an image for himself as virtually the only opponent of aid to Ukraine in the entire EU. But in reality, he was simply willing to use his veto to absorb all the backlash, allowing other opponents to remain in the shadows.
Maksim Samorukov
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Is There a Place for Russia in the New Race Back to the Moon?
Despite having the resources and expertise, the Russian space industry missed the opportunity to offer the United States or China a mutually rewarding partnership in the lunar race.
Georgy Trishkin
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Power, Pathways, and Policy: Grounding Central Asia’s Digital Ambitions
Central Asia’s digital ambitions are achievable, but only if policy is aligned with the region’s physical constraints.
Aruzhan Meirkhanova
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Conspiracy Theories Are Eclipsing the Real Dangers of Russia’s Messaging App Max
The internet is awash not only with instructions from digital security experts, but also with urban legends and conspiracy theories that divert attention away from the real dangers of Max.
David Frenkel

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Is Frustration With Armenia’s Pashinyan Enough to Bring the Pro-Russia Opposition to Power?

It’s true that many Armenians would vote for anyone just to be rid of Pashinyan, whom they blame for the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, but the pro-Russia opposition is unlikely to be able to channel that frustration into an electoral victory.

Mikayel Zolyan

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Will Hungary’s New Leader Really Change EU Policy on Russia and Ukraine?

Orbán created an image for himself as virtually the only opponent of aid to Ukraine in the entire EU. But in reality, he was simply willing to use his veto to absorb all the backlash, allowing other opponents to remain in the shadows.

Maksim Samorukov

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Is There a Place for Russia in the New Race Back to the Moon?

Despite having the resources and expertise, the Russian space industry missed the opportunity to offer the United States or China a mutually rewarding partnership in the lunar race.

Georgy Trishkin

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Power, Pathways, and Policy: Grounding Central Asia’s Digital Ambitions

Central Asia’s digital ambitions are achievable, but only if policy is aligned with the region’s physical constraints.

Aruzhan Meirkhanova

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Conspiracy Theories Are Eclipsing the Real Dangers of Russia’s Messaging App Max

The internet is awash not only with instructions from digital security experts, but also with urban legends and conspiracy theories that divert attention away from the real dangers of Max.

David Frenkel