RUSSIAN FEDERATION, the legacy of ex-President Vladimir Putin

RUSSIAN FEDERATION - Legacy of ex-President Vladimir Putin

President Vladimir Putin stood down on May, 8, 2008, and handed over the reigns of power to a new leader of the Russian Federation. However, unlike Boris Yeltsin who handed down a nation in chaos and economic decline, the opposite applies to President Vladimir Putin, for he is leaving a vibrant nation and relative stability given the vastness of this nation. Therefore, what is the real legacy of President Putin before he hands over power?

The Russian Federation was blighted by corruption, economic meltdown, a terrible civil war in Chechnya, and other major problems, prior to Putin taking power. It appeared that the Russian Federation was not only in meltdown but that her nation may crumble at the edges, notably in the southern parts of this nation.

However, Putin developed many dynamic policies in order to revitalize the moribund economy and he also tackled the serious problem of corruption and cronyism. Therefore, he focused on the energy sector, centralization, power concentration, and a strong inner circle to tackle these many problems. The outcome being that the centre gained in power and state influence once more dominated many major sectors, notably the energy sector. He also made sure that taxes were collected in order to strengthen the nation.

In time the currency also responded and gained against the dollar and from being a nation in decline and in crisis, he had rejuvenated the "soul" of the Russian Federation and brought back pride and confidence. Therefore, he managed to transform a chaotic and weak nation state and turn it into a "powerhouse" once more. Yet despite this, the Western press was not happy and political statements via Washington and London were often negative.

For Putin, and others in the inner circle, this was evidence that some nations desired a weak and compliant Russian Federation. However, far from being compliant, Putin went on the offensive and he began to further develop relations within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Shanghai 6, and other important structures within the international community. He was also outspoken about Kosovo and Western double standards, and he rightly talked about the negatives of NATO expansion and America`s missile defense system which appears to be aimed at the Russian Federation?

Therefore, better relations were developed with China, India, Iran, Central Asian nations, and many others. At the same time her energy politics began to grow in power and now major areas of the EU were being brought into the Russian "energy grid" and this in turn gave the Russian Federation more leverages within Europe.

Overall, the legacy of President Vladimir Putin before he steps down are very positive and of course he may return in the future to the central power base of this nation. However, if he does return or not, it is more than apparent that his achievements are very high and now this nation is taken seriously once more. More important, this nation is no longer in meltdown and her economy is now the 10th biggest and in the near future it will once more be in the top 5 or 6 nations. Therefore, Putin gave the Russian Federation much needed "breathing space" and it is up to this nation to follow the same path and focus on economic development.
Lee Jay Walker Dip BA MA

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