The Ides of March: Targeting Putin

Opinion by Anna van Densky

On the eve of the 19-20 March EU Summit, the confusion among member states on the future of sanctions against Russia signifies an absence of strategic thinking while opting for a doubtful method of exercising political influence in the first place. Conducted at the expense of the EU's own populations, which are suffering substantial economic losses, the decision to continue a sanctions war might lead the European political class into surprising situations. This has already happened during the EU's vigorous and zealous integration of Ukraine – poor choices in politics tend to backfire. Passionately pursuing the destruction of free-market adept President Vladimir Putin, the EU may soon witness the renaissance of communism, which is on the rise, and not without the helping hand of the European foes of the Kremlin.

Paying tribute to the assassinated liberal opposition leader Boris Nemtzov, EU politicians were not short of words in their eulogies, even mentioning his academic background, however they missed the essential point – he was not a rival of President Vladimir Putin at the moment of his tragic end – the real contestants of Kremlin's power come from the other flank.

In rapidly deteriorating economic situation, the 'Resurrection Communist Party' is ascending with a rapid pace.

The 'eternal' leader of Russian communists, Gennady Ziuganov, reminds that traditionally collectivism remains strong, and that attempts to launch a successful right-wing party are doomed, convinced as he is of the fatal 'destiny' of all right-wing forces in Russia. Echoing his words, both Russian and Western think-tanks have registered the revival of a positive reading of Stalin among the electorate: by January, half of Russians assessed his  'father of nations' role in the history of Russia in different degrees of appreciation, largely positive.

In spite of these alarming signs, misled by a distorted picture of the contemporary Russian political landscape, the EU players, in overwhelming numbers, take refuge in an illusion that with the help of sanctions they will dismantle Putin's authoritarian rule, enhancing democratic changes and a conclusion to the liberal reforms of the Eltzin era. Crowning Nemzov with a martyr's wreath as the ultimate challenger of Putin's evil powers they miss the true challengers, while producing inadequate answers to the existing problems.

In reality Nemtzov's assassination – used for the degradation of an already deteriorating relationship – represents poor service for Russian democratic opposition. Blaming Putin for the murder is viewed by the majority of Russians as grotesque, especially remembering the political assassinations in Europe, including Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Anna Lindh (2005) and earlier the  successful Dutch right-wing leader Pim Fortuyn (2002), without mentioning the other prominent figures of political life, who perished in suspicious car accidents. The premature calls of the European Parliament for an international investigation have only thrown oil on the fire, while making the majority of Russians feel as if they have been poorly treated, distancing them from Europe and viewing the 'double-standards approach' as an integral part of EU-Russia relations.

Contrary to the Magnitsky law, which aims to eradicate corruption by exposing Russian civil servants individually, which was seen as a sign of honesty and solidarity with the people, the anti-Russian sanctions simply nourish animosity and anti-Western, anti-liberal moods.

By exposing Russian civil servants who are buying properties in the EU, the European Parliament would achieve much more in the promotion of democracy in Russia, than with exaggerated criticism towards the Kremlin's inhabitants. History shows that they are not tenants that liberate their premises easily. On the contrary, the democratic framework makes the EU institutions vulnerable to failures to deliver economic well-being – the idea is buried in the galloping enlargement towards the East. Putting Russia away, the EU  innovatively inspires its reorientation towards China, hungry for the treasures of Siberian resources.

The Chinese model of communism crossing with capitalism is demonstrating vitality and a remarkable assertiveness. The swift rapprochement of Russia and China, manifesting in the gas-pipeline deal and alternating European energy market, might be the first step in shifting towards the Asian model of society while the West works hard on ruining the Russian economy. Causing unemployment and poverty is becoming nourishing grounds for the Communist party, which is dreaming of destroying Putin's liberal realm of oligarchs, leading, with Western help, the Russian proletariat back to the USSR.

The Ides of March is a symbolic time when, centuries back in 44 BC, the very same day of 15 March brought the physical destruction of Julius Ceasar as dictator. But, contrary to the aspirations of his enemies, this did not return Rome back to the Republic, but provoked the transcendence to Empire through the trauma of civil war. History teaches that, when taken by passion and illusion, politicians tend to make poor choices, but unfortunately, very few are concerned with the experiences of the past.

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