December 12, 2023

An Unexpected Expected Announcement


An Unexpected Expected Announcement
Russian President Vladimir Putin walking through golden gates. Steven Pifer, Twitter.

On December 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced at an awards ceremony that he would seek a fifth term as Russia's president in the upcoming 2024 election. 

After Putin finished a speech to honor awardees, cameras focused on medal recipient Artem Zhoga, the People's Council Chairman of the Russian-occupied Donetsk People's Republic and the father of a soldier who died in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Zhoga approached the podium and showered Putin with accolades, to which the president of 19 years responded, "Thank you so much. I won't hide that at different times I had different thoughts. But now, you are right, now is the time to make a decision. I will run for the post of president of the Russian Federation."

The seemingly unofficial announcement prompted various responses from the opposition. The director of the Alexey Navalny-founded Anti-Corruption Foundation, Ivan Zhdanov, said,  "That was funny... I don't think they planned to announce the nomination like this... Someone will receive a hit in the head for this."

Opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov said, "And there comes the voice from the fridge: I'm going, he says, for a fifth term! The surprise, frankly speaking, was not a success."

Human rights activist Alina Popova said, "This is news, this is an event! No one waited, but he took [the opportunity] and solved the intrigue! Moreover, according to tradition, he did not decide on his own but kindly agreed when asked: either the workers asked or the father of a deceased military man... Don't you find this funny? Who are they hoping to deceive?"

Putin's re-election will take place March 15-17, 2024 – the ever-popular Ides of March to St. Patrick's Day weekend.

 

You Might Also Like

Armenia Joins ICC against Putin's Wishes
  • October 18, 2023

Armenia Joins ICC against Putin's Wishes

Armenia joined the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh offensive, straining its relationship with Russia.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955