Broadcast canceled

Russian expert blurts out Putin plan on TV

Vladimir Putin after his "re-election"(Bild: AFP)

In a talk show on Russian state television, one of the experts spoke unusually bluntly about Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin's plans. Political scientist Aleksandr Sytin emphasized that "nobody is concerned about Ukraine". "Russia is pursuing a certain expansive course", he explained. The presenter then broke off the program.

Russia justifies its war of invasion in Ukraine by claiming, among other things, that the ethnic Russian population needs to be protected from the "brutal Ukrainian Nazi regime". However, this narrative apparently slipped Sytin's mind. When it came to Moscow's war plans, the propagandist explained what the task of the "special military operation" really was: "We always talk about Ukraine. But in fact, nobody is talking about Ukraine."

Vladimir Putin after his "re-election"(Bild: AFP)

Expert: Russia's "expansive course" is a "fact"
"Russia is pursuing a certain expansive course. That is a fact," says the political scientist. "And not just in Ukraine, by the way," Sytin continued. "The countries of NATO and the EU want to put an end to this expansionist course. How they do that ..." - At this point, the moderator intervened. This is not true, "because this is not expansion, but the defense of national interests and security," the talk show host repeated the narrative that the Kremlin also likes to hear.

Presenter sends show into break
However, Sytin was no longer allowed to answer this. "We have to interrupt. We'll be back after a break. Short interruption ...", the presenter finally pulled the ripcord. 

In the presidential election at the weekend, Putin allegedly achieved around 88 percent of the vote - but hardly anyone believes that the result was achieved fairly. He is therefore facing another six-year term in office. In the 25 years that he has been at the head of the regime, he has led the state in an increasingly autocratic manner. Numerous critics of Putin have died or been arrested under mysterious circumstances.

Record result and turnout in the election
The result is the best Putin has ever achieved in his career. The voter turnout of more than 74 percent is also a record. Putin was unperturbed by the accusations of manipulation and declared that the election result showed the "trust" of the population. Following his re-election, Russia's ruler did not rule out a full-scale conflict with NATO - which could in turn lead to a "third world war".