Putin Has Russians' Loyalty, But for How Long?

The average citizen has yet to complain

Morten Morgenmaage,

28/08/2015

The average citizen has yet to complain. He patiently waits for the authorities to take the appropriate measures and correct everything — and without the need for him to get involved. Putin promised to cope with the crisis within two years. The people are willing to tread water and endure it for two years — especially because their National Leader always kept his word in the past. The authorities know better. If they burn foreign ducklings and dispatch Cossacks carrying whips to seize illicit foreign cheese on supermarket shelves, they must have a good reason for it. The ordinary Russian is willing to put up with such foolishness for the good of the cause. However, no one knows how ordinary Russians will behave if the crisis becomes protracted and the situation steadily erodes their standard of living. In the same way, no one knows how Putin will behave: after all, this is an entirely new situation for him.