Why Putin’s “Direct Line” did not achieve its goal
The latest “Direct Line” was intended to showcase Russia’s growing military and economic strength, but Putin’s propaganda efforts fell flat.
▫️ Amid record inflation and a declining industrial sector, Putin attempted to claim that Russia’s economy was “doing great,” relying on manipulative “average” figures to make his point.
▫️ He tried to frame Russia’s clear setback in Syria as a “victory” by retroactively redefining the goals of Russia’s military presence there.
▫️ The provocative challenge to the US air defense system by Russia’s “Oreshnik” missile was another intimidation attempt against the West, which once again failed to achieve the desired impact.
▫️ Allowing an American journalist to ask a sharp question during the event was a classic tactic of authoritarian regimes.
Declarations about “the strongest Russian army in the world”, “readiness for negotiations and compromises”, and “Russia’s true sovereignty”, along with cynical jokes, are just recycled propaganda clichés.
