Vladimir Putin

Putin Pays Backhanded Tribute to Democracy

In his new bid to cling to power, Russia’s authoritarian president pretends to obey constitutional norms.

• Leon Aron
• January 16, 2020

Putin’s Big Lie

In a series of comments in late December, the Russian president appeared to blame Poland for the outbreak of the Second World War.

• Anne Applebaum
• January 5, 2020

Russian Jokes Tell the Brutal Truth

In a repressive society, dark political jokes allow regular people to describe what they see with their own eyes.

• Leon Aron
• November 29, 2019

A Russian Journalist’s Arrest Counters the Image of Putin the Puppet Master

Abroad, Putin is perceived as the master orchestrator of all of Russia’s actions. But his hold on the state’s security services is more limited.

• Anna Nemtsova
• June 11, 2019

Trump’s Surreal Phone Call With Vladimir Putin

Once more, the president has failed to press the Russian president on electoral interference.

• David A. Graham
• May 3, 2019

The Trump-Putin Relationship, as Dictated by the Kremlin

Why does the White House cede control of the narrative to the Russians?

• Natasha Bertrand and Anna Nemtsova
• April 15, 2019

Putin’s Crackdown on Dissent Is Working

A new law criminalizing “disrespect” for Russian society and institutions might mark the end of the country’s few remaining legal forms of protests.

• Anna Nemtsova
• March 22, 2019

Donald Trump’s Pattern of Deference to the Kremlin Is Clear

Now it’s on the president to explain his posture.

• David A. Graham
• January 15, 2019

Subpoena the Interpreter

There are real costs to such a move—but the public needs to know what was said between Trump and Putin.

• David Frum
• January 14, 2019

The Collusion With Russia Is in Plain Sight

What did Donald Trump say to Vladimir Putin when no one else could hear them?

• Franklin Foer
• January 13, 2019

How Russia Meddled in its Own Elections

Putin’s real victory is the culmination of his domestic disinformation machine.

• Alina Polyakova
• March 18, 2018