From the point of view of what is happening in Russia, the authors—among them Boris Kagarlitsky, a Marxist dissident imprisoned for his opposition to the war in Ukraine—distinguish two tendencies “within the Russian power camp”: those who hold to an “anti-imperialist” discourse and those who embrace a “messianic-conservative” discourse. In reaction to Donald Trump’s overtures, the former have shown a “pro-Chinese” tendency, while the latter a “pro-American” one. It is worth noting their claim that “By giving us Ukraine (…) Trump could then set about annexing Canada and Greenland” (I'm Canadian).
As for the division, and later the rallying, of the Russian oligarchy around Putin, I recall—and deplore—that it dates back to the moment when, although the article does not mention it, an oligarch who had shown pro-Western sympathies at a critical juncture had his throat slit along with his wife’s and all his children’s, in their home. This act confirms some of the analyses found in Machiavelli’s The Prince, but it is also a nameless horror and an abomination. I add, in my own name, that the Word of God condemns such deeds (Rev. 21:8).
Russia’s elite at odds on future ties with West (Subscribers)
Le Monde diplomatique
Russia’s elite at odds on future ties with West
Subscribers // by Boris Kagarlitsky & Alexey Sakhnin (Le Monde diplomatique - English edition, August 2025)
