The impression that Russia has behaved uncharacteristically passively in the face of multiple unexpected foreign crises over the last few months is somewhat misleading. It is true that Moscow’s attempts at managing these crises—from Belarus to Kyrgyzstan to Moldova—proved limited at best, and President Vladimir Putin’s leadership during this time has been rather unsteady.
OP-ED
Pavel K. Baev: Putin tries to regain initiative, as crises continue to rage
This UN handout photo shows Russian President Vladimir Putin as he virtually addresses the general debate of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Sept. 22, 2020, in New York.