GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

The World Cup: Putin's Political Panacea

undefined and null
Linas Jegelevicius
Board of Contributors

Jul 14, 2018 | 09:00 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) watches the opening game of the 2018 World Cup next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L), who has praised him for the turnout at the tournament.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) watches the opening game of the 2018 World Cup next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L), who has praised him for the turnout at the tournament.

(Pool/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • By hosting the World Cup, Russia managed to defuse international tensions, however temporarily, over incidents such as the attempted assassination of former Russian intelligence official Sergei Skripal.
  • The tournament also helped the Kremlin avoid a public backlash over its decision, announced on the first day of the World Cup, to raise the retirement age — not least of all because public protests were banned in host cities during the monthlong event.
  • Despite the World Cup's success as a diversionary tactic, it will do little to assuage Russians' economic and political grievances in the long run. 

Sit back, relax and enjoy the show. That's the message Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to be broadcasting to his country, and the rest of the world, with this year's World Cup. And so far, it's paying off. The tournament, which has won Putin praise from FIFA President Gianni Infantino for its impressive turnout, has proved a diversion from the domestic and international issues facing the Kremlin. The tactic is a familiar one in Russia, which annexed the Crimean Peninsula just weeks after hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics -- some have argued to distract the public from the controversy surrounding the spectacular and expensive games. In an apparent reversal, this time Putin is using the World Cup to upstage the political turmoil in and around the country....

Subscribe to view this article

Subscribe Now

Subscribe

Already have an account?