Our correspondent, Ivor Bennett, recently covered the fifth inauguration of Vladimir Putin as Russian president. The ceremony took place at Moscow’s Grand Kremlin Palace, and Bennett was present to witness the entire event. He also had the opportunity to interview Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov about the state of democracy in Russia and the lack of opposition during the presidential election in March.
During the interview, Bennett questioned Peskov about accusations from Western leaders and governments that Putin had turned Russia into a dictatorship. Peskov refuted these claims, stating that they were merely propaganda designed to tarnish Russia’s reputation. According to Peskov, Russia is a purely democratic country where the citizens have the right to choose their leaders through free and fair elections.
When asked about the lack of opposition to Putin in Russia, Peskov acknowledged that there was opposition within the country but noted that the conditions were much tougher due to the ongoing conflict. He emphasized the need for stricter measures to ensure victory in wartime, stating that this was still in line with democratic principles.
Peskov’s remarks shed light on the perspective of the Kremlin regarding democracy and freedom of speech, particularly during times of conflict. Despite facing numerous challenges, including sanctions imposed by Western countries and an ongoing conflict with Ukraine, Peskov maintained that Russia remains a democratic nation where its citizens have a voice in politics.