Taking the Shortcut to Popularity : How Putin’s Power is Sustained through Ukraine
Journal: Malmö University Publications (Malmö University)
Year: 2014

In this article I argue that Vladimir Putin’s strong promotion of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and his hardline stance against the Ukraine are highly consistent with the basic modes of legitimation that he has been using throughout his three presidential tenures. His line of action is intimately bound up with his interpretation of Russia’s role and privileges as a great power. This great power theme is closely linked to fundamental sentiments of Russian national identity and therefore highly po