Insights Obama can now use to undermine Putin’s narrative

Sir, Thanks to Kathrin Hille’s report “What the Russians really think” (Life & Arts, April 11), we now have a clear idea about why Vladimir Putin continues to enjoy approval ratings of up to 85 per cent. In his particular framing of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and tensions with the west, President Putin has created a master narrative that taps into an indelible part of Russian identity embedded in Russia’s “chosen glory” in defeating Nazi Germany.

Barack Obama can leverage this insight by building on the momentum generated by recent breakthroughs in US relations with Cuba and Iran by responding affirmatively to Mr Putin’s invitation to commemorate Victory Day in Moscow on May 9 — the day in 1945 that Germany surrendered to the Soviet Union. By demonstrating respect for the Russians and their sacrifices in the Great Patriotic War, Mr Obama can undermine Mr Putin’s narrative, plus provide an opportunity for the US president to have a one-on-one chat with his Russian counterpart that just might succeed.

Russia is too important to global governance and problem-solving — terrorism, climate change, North Korea, Iran, Syria — to be allowed by Mr Putin’s Machiavellian machinations to slip into the abyss. Since threats of further western sanctions and of lethal military aid to Kiev have not been successful, the time is ripe for acting outside the box.

Dennis J D Sandole
Professor of Conflict Resolution and International Relations,
George Mason University,
Arlington, VA, US

To see the original article, please see the Financial Times.