Putin Spends Age Leading Russia

Vladimir Putin's painting by Bake Necko (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - Exactly today, October 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin turns 68 years old. More than twenty years at the peak of power, Putin has become an expert leader in understanding Russian society. However, on the other hand, Putin's strength in leading Russia is also due to his tricks and aggression.

With cold hands, Putin successfully intervened in Ukraine, annexing Crimea in March 2014. In Syria, Putin bombed anti-government rebels in a move that strengthened Syrian government forces.

This surprised many observers. In addition, Putin has made no secret of his determination to reassert Russian rule after years of humiliation by the US and its NATO allies. Quoting the BBC , Putin himself has been in power in Russia since 2000.He has been the longest Kremlin leader since the dictator of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, who died in 1953.

A controversial national vote on constitutional reforms now gives him a chance to stay in power after his current fourth term, which ends in 2024. Putin could stay in power until 2036, on a legal basis.

On July 1, Russia counted the results of a week-long national vote, including a constitutional amendment that would allow Putin to lift the term limit and remain president until 2036.Putin was previously slated to leave office in 2024, although most observers predict he will likely find a way. to stall it.

The Russian leadership's plans became clearer in March, during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis. The Russian Parliament issued a large number of proposals for constitutional changes. That includes changes that would reset presidential term limits, effectively making Putin president of Russia for the rest of his life or at least most of his life.

But on the other hand, the reason Putin is still popular is because he managed to bring Russia. Putin's response to the economic and political turmoil of the first post-Soviet decade was to present himself as a leader who would put order.

Before his first victory in the presidential election, Putin famously warned armed rebels that he was going to wipe them out. With his strong words and adding action, Putin dared to visit the troops fighting in the conflict.

Putin is also considered to be able to captivate his colleagues on the international stage. His business manners and approach were initially welcomed by many in the west. Its popularity is underpinned by the advantages of soaring oil prices in the 2000s and many Russians find themselves richer than ever.

Like leaders around the world, Putin also faces challenges responding to COVID-19. Russia has also suffered an economic blow with reports that the Russian central bank has experienced a decline in GDP of up to 4-6 percent in 2020.

Putin again showed his strength by agreeing to the COVID-19 vaccine named Sputnik V. The people's-made vaccine is controversial because it is considered that he has not completed the three-phase trial. But supposing, Putin has said, the will must be carried out. Even at the UN session, Putin said Russia was ready to share its experiences in vaccine development and that his country had supplied vaccines to other countries.