Outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a scathing attack against the West in his last press conference before he steps down from his office next month. The President has strongly hinted that he is very much willing to remain in frontline Russian politics as the Prime Minister. The way the Russian strongman presented himself to the journalists in Moscow provided the strongest indication yet that President Putin would be a powerful Prime Minister and it won’t be just a ceremonial and symbolic post under him.

Coming back to his menacing attacks against the West, the former KGB officer has undoubtedly made it a point that Moscow would be more than willing to return to the Cold War days showcasing Russian political, economical and military might around the world. In the modern era of international diplomacy and rivalry, hardly anyone expects a Presidential speech should be so crude and menacing but that was exactly what President Putin addressed his western rivals with. He told western observers who refused to monitor the upcoming elections that they should ‘rather teach their own wives how to cook cabbage soup’. He went on with lambasting remarks when he referred to British newspaper stories criticising his alleged multi-billion pound fortune as ‘detritus excavated from someone’s nostril and smeared across bits of paper.

After such an ultra-aggressive speech, there is no doubt that President Putin would remain in Russian politics in the near future and his likely successor and protege Dmitry Medvedev would not dare to go against the mentor’s combative policies. Russia, under President Putin, has proved that it is ready to take on the West on any issue that Moscow reckons has a direct or indirect effect on its sovereignty and security. The West, particularly the United States would now have to come up with some sort of strategy to combat this tough and unrelenting Russian diplomatic stance.

Western analysts have termed President Putin a very clever politician. By putting up a warrior-like attitude over the past few months before stepping down, Mr.Putin has struck a chord with ordinary Russians who now boast of their new found national pride under their beloved President’s eight year-rule. His aggression is paving the way for his chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev to carry forward Russia’s tough anti-West legacy. Even if Mr.Medvedev fails to achieve his predecessor’s lasting achievements, there could be a potential situation when the Russian people would be desperate to bring President Putin back to where he belongs, as the Russian Premier. President Putin, as the Prime Minister, would be able to keep a close watch at his successor’s progress.

Well, let us all wait and watch if this is the start of the good old Soviet days.

Source: Telegraph181487