Angelina Jolie is calm about Brad Pitt’s romance with Ines de Ramon. Demi Moore has split from celebrity Swiss chef Daniel Hamm. Julia Roberts is the most successful actress of all time.
Russia believes that it is in an epoch-making confrontation with the West. However, the Internet portal of Putin’s favorite newspaper, Komsomolskaya Pravda, along with many other pro-Kremlin outlets, feeds its readers with new reports from Hollywood almost every day. In addition to hatred of Ukraine, there are anthems praising Ethan Cohen.
As absurd as it sounds, the illusion of normality is an integral part of Putin’s propaganda. Before the war, Hollywood films were the most important source of income for Russian cinemas. After February 24, American distributors left, but so far all attempts by the regime to fill the gap through domestic production have failed. Thus, the subjects have at least the last remnant of past joys.
The pursuit of normality is Putin’s main ally. Political scientist Kirill Rogov recently told the Russian emigrant portal Meduza: “Most people will never go over to the opposition camp. It will only ruin your career and your prospects. For this majority, political issues are less important than the ideal of a “normal” life.”
So can butcher Putin last longer? Despite his insane war, despite tens of thousands of dead Russian soldiers, despite the economic crisis and total poverty? Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a former oligarch and once Russia’s most notorious prisoner, expects Putin to remain head of state until the 2024 elections. In a Handbook for Aspiring Revolutionaries, which he posted online, the London-based opposition figure writes: “Putin is being made a burden to his colleagues and forced to resign.” However, this does not mean that Putinism must come to an end. “It is possible that after Putin, an even worse version of him will come to power. And this may happen several times. The Bolshevik regime, whose collapse was constantly predicted by its opponents, lasted almost 70 years.
This sounds bleak. For Ukrainians, for Russians, for all of us. However, we must not let this hold us back. The pursuit of normality is Putin’s greatest ally. What is true for Russia is true for the rest of the world. This week, the US showed itself resisting that urge by hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington. On the contrary, politicians such as German Chancellor Scholz and French President Macron have consistently given Putin reason to believe that all he has to do is sow chaos and chaos—then Ukraine and the West might be willing to accept his demands to negotiate an end to fire. .
Not a word about Switzerland. With reference to neutrality, Bern did not supply Kyiv with any weapons, helmets, or protective vests. The fact that the federal government lags behind other countries when it comes to humanitarian aid cannot, of course, be explained by its neutrality. This fatal reluctance is probably due to the need for normality, which is especially pronounced in this country.