Why Putin made an effort to appear powerful and to portray his invasion as patriotic.

In 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin made the decision to annex Crimea, a move that was widely seen as a violation of international law. In the aftermath of the annexation, Putin made a concerted effort to appear powerful and to portray his invasion as patriotic. This was a strategic move on his part, designed to bolster his own standing at home and to signal to the rest of the world that Russia was still a force to be reckoned with.

There are several reasons why Putin felt the need to appear powerful in the wake of the annexation. First and foremost, Putin has long been seen as a strongman leader, one who is willing to take decisive action when necessary. The annexation of Crimea was seen as an opportunity for Putin to reaffirm his strongman credentials, and to show the world that he was not afraid to take bold action in defense of Russia’s interests.

In addition, Putin’s domestic popularity was at stake. The annexation of Crimea was a deeply divisive issue within Russia, with many Russians opposing the move and others strongly supporting it. By appearing strong and decisive, Putin was able to rally his base of supporters and present himself as a patriotic leader who was willing to stand up for Russia’s interests.

Another reason why Putin made an effort to portray the annexation as patriotic was to counteract the negative international reaction to the move. Many Western countries condemned the annexation as a violation of international law, and Russia faced economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation as a result. By portraying the annexation as a patriotic move, Putin was able to deflect some of the criticism and present Russia as a victim of Western aggression.

Finally, Putin’s effort to appear powerful was also motivated by a desire to preserve Russia’s status as a great power. Russia has long seen itself as a major player on the world stage, and Putin was determined not to let the annexation of Crimea undermine that status. By projecting strength and confidence, Putin was able to signal to the rest of the world that Russia was still a major power to be reckoned with.

Of course, Putin’s efforts to appear powerful and patriotic in the wake of the annexation of Crimea were not universally successful. While he was able to rally his base of supporters in Russia, the move was widely condemned by the international community, and Russia faced significant economic and diplomatic repercussions as a result. Moreover, the annexation of Crimea did little to address the underlying problems facing Russia, including economic stagnation, corruption, and political repression.

Nonetheless, Putin’s efforts to appear powerful and patriotic in the aftermath of the annexation of Crimea reflect the importance that he places on projecting strength and confidence. For Putin, maintaining his image as a strongman leader and preserving Russia’s status as a great power is essential to his own political survival and to Russia’s standing in the world.