Our team recently covered the fifth inauguration of Vladimir Putin as Russian president. Our correspondent, Ivor Bennett, was on hand to experience the entire event from Moscow’s Grand Kremlin Palace. During the ceremony, Bennett had the opportunity to interview Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov about democracy and opposition in Russia.
During the interview, Bennett questioned Peskov about accusations from Western leaders that Putin had turned Russia into a dictatorship. Peskov dismissed these claims as propaganda and emphasized that Russia is a democratic country where citizens have the right to choose their leaders. He also addressed the lack of opposition to Putin in Russia, stating that there is opposition within the country, but conditions are more challenging due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Peskov used the word “war” multiple times during the interview, referring to the conflict in Ukraine as a “special military operation.” When asked if it was important for the public to have the right to speak out during wartime, Peskov stated that tougher measures were necessary to ensure victory and reach their goals. Despite the challenging circumstances, Peskov maintained that Russia’s system is democratic and criticized Western media for operating under similar conditions.
Overall, this interview shed light on Putin’s perspective on democracy and opposition in Russia. It highlighted how complexities make it difficult for opposition groups to function effectively in such an environment.