Putin - Four Years at the Kremlin

Author: (Russian) Roy Medvedev, Wang Xiaoyu, Han Xianyang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: The 21st century welcomed a new leader in Russia. In the past three years, there has been a lot of description about Vladimir Putin, and these descriptions have often varied greatly. It was already surprising that Putin appeared at the pinnacle of the Russian political stage, and even more surprising to many was that he successfully completed two terms and gained an extraordinarily high approval rating from the Russian people. We are convinced that this leader was born in response to the call of the times, historical progress, and the Russian people. He not only confidently and comprehensively presented Russia's image on the world stage but also fundamentally reversed the prejudice that politicians could not improve the living standards of the people in a very short time. — Roy Medvedev
This book provides a detailed introduction to Putin's early career in the early 1990s, focusing on the Russian political process from August 2001 to the end of 2003 and his political contributions. The author offers a preliminary summary of Putin's four years in the Kremlin, evaluates his actions in several major international events that occurred in recent years, and emphasizes the exploration of Russia-U.S. relations and the sensitive Yukos oil company incident during Putin's tenure.
With bitterness, pride, and hope, the Russian people have walked through the 20th century. In this century, many countries in the world have experienced severe turbulence, revolutions, and wars, but no major country has undergone such frequent, abrupt, and pathological changes as Russia in the past 100 years. A century ago, liberals, Marxists, and populists debated whether Russia could or should build a capitalist society. Then, they argued over the development paths of socialism, communism, and new capitalism, whether by following the party's "general line" or the market's "invisible hand." Now, there is no need for further debate; we are beginning to move from oligarchic capitalism to state capitalism. Almost all major historical events of the 20th century were closely linked to Russia. We have experienced the pain of the collapse of the Russian Empire and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, Russia survived as a great nation, a multi-ethnic society, a great culture, and a focal point of attention for many countries in Europe and Asia. During this period, all Russian political parties and their ideologies endured the pain of this collapse and dissolution. The Russian people once again stood at a crossroads, reflecting on their fate, their position in the world, happiness, security, and the restoration of unity. At this time, the state appeared in a different form and with different boundaries.
Today, it is not difficult to outline the bleak picture of Russia in poverty, and many have already described it extensively. Liberal reformers and "shock therapy" led the vast majority of Russians into poverty, and some even into destitution. They failed to heal the wounds of the country and nearly destroyed it. Strangely, the economic decline and crisis of the 1990s did not lead to major social unrest. The dissolution of the Soviet Union was completed in a relatively peaceful atmosphere, and Russia avoided the disastrous consequences of extreme nationalism that many countries could not escape in the 20th century.
Today, Russia remains the largest country in terms of territory and the second most powerful military nation in the world. It continues to maintain influence in Europe, East Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia and remains the most important country in the former Soviet region. In the United Nations, it is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council. Russia possesses the world's richest natural resources, immense scientific and cultural potential, and a high level of education. The Russian people yearn for order, but it is not imposed. Yes, Russia is still a great power, and her people are gradually recovering from a serious illness, with this rapid development already underway.
The 21st century welcomed a new leader in Russia. In the past three years, there has been a lot of description about Vladimir Putin, and these descriptions have often varied greatly. It was already surprising that Putin appeared at the pinnacle of the Russian political stage, and even more surprising to many was that he successfully completed two terms and gained an extraordinarily high approval rating from the Russian people. We are convinced that this leader was born in response to the call of the times, historical progress, and the Russian people. He not only confidently and comprehensively presented Russia's image on the world stage but also fundamentally reversed the prejudice that politicians could not improve the living standards of the people in a very short time.
Vladimir Putin represents a new generation of Russian political figures: they were born after World War II, their understanding of the war coming from books or the stories of their parents. These individuals received their primary, secondary, and university education in Soviet schools and in the Soviet atmosphere of the 1960s and 1970s. They began their careers in the Soviet period; under the conditions of liberal reforms in the 1990s, they did not disappear. They are typically calm pragmatists, capable and willing to draw on the good values and fine traditions of old Russia, the former Soviet Union, and the new democratic Russia, hoping to inherit the traditions of the Russian Empire and restore its original role in Europe and Asia.
Vladimir Putin almost took over the state in an emergency. At that time, Russia's economy was weak, national politics was feeble, and the danger of federal disintegration was looming. It seemed that the hope of national revival was fading, and the people were weary of everything they had suffered in the 20th century. Against this backdrop, Putin and his team were given a special responsibility. In a play by the famous German playwright Bertolt Brecht, there is a line:
— A country that produces heroes is lucky.
— No, a country that does not need heroes is lucky. Many countries in the world may have already adapted to and become accustomed to life without heroes, but Russia needs heroes. This is our shortcoming, because heroes do not always follow such logic and demands: these people are elected to politics. However, for historians, the topic of heroes has become a stimulus for studying many issues in the life of the state and society.
This book is based on a work published in August 2001 titled "Putin's Era—Russia at the Turn of the Century." However, major events that have occurred in the past two years have significantly changed the international environment we are in, forcing the Russian leadership and the President of Russia to work hard and make important decisions. All of this has not only significantly changed Russia's position in the world but also changed Putin's status as a leader both domestically and internationally. All of this has prompted the author to write "Vladimir Putin—The Current President," which is now titled "Putin—Four Years in the Kremlin."
Here, I thank everyone who provided advice and information for writing this book.