Changes

===Domestic policy===

===Domestic policy===

[[File:Putin 2023.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|2023 picture of Vladimir Putin]]

[[File:Putin 2023.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|2023 picture of Vladimir Putin]]

A [[Christian]] himself, Putin governs a nation that is rapidly becoming more Christian and more [[conservative]], and his snubbing of [[liberal]] [[Obama]] in May 2012 suggests that Putin is well aware of how conservative his country is becoming.  On social issues and taxation, Russia under Putin is more conservative today than the [[Western Europe]].

A [[Christian]] himself,{{fact}} Putin governs a nation that is rapidly becoming more Christian and more [[conservative]], and his snubbing of [[liberal]] [[Obama]] in May 2012 suggests that Putin is well aware of how conservative his country is becoming.  On social issues and taxation, Russia under Putin is more conservative today than the [[Western Europe]].{{fact}}

In terms of achievements, Putin has successfully opposed the [[homosexual agenda]] and has supported [[pro-life]] reforms.  He has also stabilized the Russian economy and restored Russia's national pride, largely by politically exploiting the financial windfall of Europe's need for Russian oil and gas. Russians were enthusiastic that he ended the social chaos that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the subsequent pell-mell privatization of the state-owned economy.  Many Russians have been mesmerized by the new glitter of Moscow and the restored glamour of St. Petersburg. Russia's revived self-pride follows the humiliation of the chaos after 1991 and the incompetence of his predecessor [[Boris Yeltsin]]. Russians have a long history of authoritarian governments and a strong distaste for anarchy. They have little experience with freedom. The Russian mafia, which is more sophisticated than its counterparts elsewhere, controls more than 40 percent of the total economy. Their control is thought to be even greater in certain areas, such as banking, real estate, and consumer markets.<ref>[http://www.worldbank.org/html/prddr/trans/janfeb97/art4.htm Louise I. Shelley, ''The Price Tag of Russia's Organized Crime'']</ref> In November 2014, Putin started allowing his citizens to own concealed firearms for self-defense, but under certain restrictions.<ref>https://www.rt.com/news/206703-russia-guns-self-defense/</ref> Russia under Putin made it illegal for foreigners without a permit to preach, and banned cults that are harmful to families (Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientology engage in family shunning while Falun Gong, whose founder lives in a luxurious property, prevents family members from seeking medical treatment).<ref>http://forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2197s</ref> Not having a permit is why a Baptist pastor got heavily fined.<ref>http://www.christianpost.com/news/russia-persecution-christians-intensifies-putin-cant-be-trusted-experts-warn-184255/</ref> Like many parts of Europe, blasphemy against the church is also illegal.<ref>http://www.aif.ru/society/law/delo_est_a_boga_net_za_chto_na_samom_dele_sudyat_viktora_krasnova?fbclid=IwAR2bypeUccKIaU4-J0V-Ybe4pl0EsUK32g4EaItpB8pdJ_ZQ5SYS37lh7dU</ref><ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/03/russian-atheist-faces-year-in-jail-for-denying-existence-of-god-during-webchat</ref>

In terms of achievements, Putin has successfully opposed the [[homosexual agenda]] and has supported [[pro-life]] reforms.{{fact}} He has also stabilized the Russian economy and restored Russia's national pride, largely by politically exploiting the financial windfall of Europe's need for Russian oil and gas.{{fact}} Russians were enthusiastic that he ended the social chaos that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the subsequent pell-mell privatization of the state-owned economy.{{fact}} Many Russians have been mesmerized by the new glitter of Moscow and the restored glamour of St. Petersburg.{{fact}} Russia's revived self-pride follows the humiliation of the chaos after 1991 and the incompetence of his predecessor [[Boris Yeltsin]].{{fact}} Russians have a long history of authoritarian governments and a strong distaste for anarchy. They have little experience with freedom. The Russian mafia, which is more sophisticated than its counterparts elsewhere, controls more than 40 percent of the total economy. Their control is thought to be even greater in certain areas, such as banking, real estate, and consumer markets.<ref>[http://www.worldbank.org/html/prddr/trans/janfeb97/art4.htm Louise I. Shelley, ''The Price Tag of Russia's Organized Crime'']</ref> In November 2014, Putin started allowing his citizens to own concealed firearms for self-defense, but under certain restrictions.<ref>https://www.rt.com/news/206703-russia-guns-self-defense/</ref> Russia under Putin made it illegal for foreigners without a permit to preach, and banned cults that are harmful to families (Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientology engage in family shunning while Falun Gong, whose founder lives in a luxurious property, prevents family members from seeking medical treatment).<ref>http://forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2197s</ref> Not having a permit is why a Baptist pastor got heavily fined.<ref>http://www.christianpost.com/news/russia-persecution-christians-intensifies-putin-cant-be-trusted-experts-warn-184255/</ref> Like many parts of Europe, blasphemy against the church is also illegal.<ref>http://www.aif.ru/society/law/delo_est_a_boga_net_za_chto_na_samom_dele_sudyat_viktora_krasnova?fbclid=IwAR2bypeUccKIaU4-J0V-Ybe4pl0EsUK32g4EaItpB8pdJ_ZQ5SYS37lh7dU</ref><ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/03/russian-atheist-faces-year-in-jail-for-denying-existence-of-god-during-webchat</ref>

Putin was elected to deal with Russia's existential threats and demographic issues. [[Russia's fertility rate]] of 1.58 births per woman is on a par with the United States and [[Western Europe]] and among the lowest in the world,<ref name="IntelliNews">[https://intellinews.com/russian-fertility-rates-fall-to-record-lows-on-the-back-of-a-deteriorating-economy-and-sanctions-pressure-243191/ Russian fertility rates fall to record lows on the back of a deteriorating economy and sanctions pressure], bne IntelliNews, 2022</ref> below the replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman. In 2021, he declared “saving the people of Russia is our top national priority".<ref>[https://fortune.com/2022/10/18/russia-population-historic-decline-emigration-war-plunging-birth-rate-form-perfect-storm/ Russia’s population is in a historic decline as emigration, war and a plunging birth rate form a ‘perfect storm’], Fortune magazine, 2022</ref>  Bne IntelliNews indicated in 2022: "Between 1993 and 2008, Russia’s population saw a considerable decline in its population from 148.37mn to 143.25. However, after Russian President Vladimir Putin took over in 2000 he put demographics at the top of the agenda and launched a comprehensive reform to boost the population, as featured by bne IntelliNews in “Putin’s babies”. The fruits of these reforms began to appear in around 2008 when the population began growing again."<ref name="IntelliNews"/>

Putin was elected to deal with Russia's existential threats and demographic issues. [[Russia's fertility rate]] of 1.58 births per woman is on a par with the United States and [[Western Europe]] and among the lowest in the world,<ref name="IntelliNews">[https://intellinews.com/russian-fertility-rates-fall-to-record-lows-on-the-back-of-a-deteriorating-economy-and-sanctions-pressure-243191/ Russian fertility rates fall to record lows on the back of a deteriorating economy and sanctions pressure], bne IntelliNews, 2022</ref> far below the replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman. In 2021, he declared “saving the people of Russia is our top national priority".<ref>[https://fortune.com/2022/10/18/russia-population-historic-decline-emigration-war-plunging-birth-rate-form-perfect-storm/ Russia’s population is in a historic decline as emigration, war and a plunging birth rate form a ‘perfect storm’], Fortune magazine, 2022</ref>  Bne IntelliNews indicated in 2022: "Between 1993 and 2008, Russia’s population saw a considerable decline in its population from 148.37mn to 143.25. However, after Russian President Vladimir Putin took over in 2000 he put demographics at the top of the agenda and launched a comprehensive reform to boost the population, as featured by bne IntelliNews in “Putin’s babies”. The fruits of these reforms began to appear in around 2008 when the population began growing again."<ref name="IntelliNews"/>

In May 2019, Putin signed a bill into law ordering the creation of "a national internet network that would be able to operate independently from the rest of the world."<ref>Gstalter, Morgan (May 2, 2019). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/441751-putin-signs-controversial-internet-law Putin signs controversial internet law]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 2, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/05/02/putin-signs-sovereign-internet-law-expands-government-control/ Putin Signs ‘Sovereign Internet’ Law, Expands Government Control]</ref> Russia began testing this network.<ref>Bonn, Tess (December 26, 2019). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/475984-russia-successfully-tests-country-wide-alternative-to-global Russia successfully tests country-wide alternative to global internet]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved December 26, 2019.</ref>

In May 2019, Putin signed a bill into law ordering the creation of "a national internet network that would be able to operate independently from the rest of the world."<ref>Gstalter, Morgan (May 2, 2019). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/441751-putin-signs-controversial-internet-law Putin signs controversial internet law]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 2, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/05/02/putin-signs-sovereign-internet-law-expands-government-control/ Putin Signs ‘Sovereign Internet’ Law, Expands Government Control]</ref> Russia began testing this network.<ref>Bonn, Tess (December 26, 2019). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/475984-russia-successfully-tests-country-wide-alternative-to-global Russia successfully tests country-wide alternative to global internet]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved December 26, 2019.</ref>

While not generally recognized as an outstanding public speaker before crowds, Putin is known for heart-to-heart talks, somewhat akin to U.S. President [[Franklin Roosevelt]]'s fireside chats, on a wide range of topics and issues of interest and concern to the Russian people his using the [[television]] format.

While not generally recognized as an outstanding public speaker before crowds, Putin is known for heart-to-heart talks, somewhat akin to U.S. President [[Franklin Roosevelt]]'s fireside chats, on a wide range of topics and issues of interest and concern to the Russian people his using the [[television]] format.{{fact}}

=== Views on abortion ===

=== Views on abortion ===

President [[Barack Obama]] and Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] initially cozied up to Putin, charging the Bush administration was intent on reigniting the [[Cold War]]. However once the [[Rosatom-Uranium One deal]] was completed and the [[Clinton Foundation]] pocketed millions of dollars from Putin cronies in donations and speaking fees, relations began to sour as the Obama administration could no longer ignore geopolitical realities. Putin had protested the Obama administrations illegal drone strikes, and the administration placed [[Magnitsky Act|sanctions on Russian leaders]] ostensibly in retaliation for the Crimean referendum.<ref>https://youtu.be/I-9aD45qxbE</ref>

President [[Barack Obama]] and Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] initially cozied up to Putin, charging the Bush administration was intent on reigniting the [[Cold War]]. However once the [[Rosatom-Uranium One deal]] was completed and the [[Clinton Foundation]] pocketed millions of dollars from Putin cronies in donations and speaking fees, relations began to sour as the Obama administration could no longer ignore geopolitical realities. Putin had protested the Obama administrations illegal drone strikes, and the administration placed [[Magnitsky Act|sanctions on Russian leaders]] ostensibly in retaliation for the Crimean referendum.<ref>https://youtu.be/I-9aD45qxbE</ref>

President Obama's decision to move an anti-missile defense system to [[Romania]] during the [[2016 US Presidential election]] only heightened tensions. Putin, who had repeatedly assailed the antimissile system as a grave danger to Russia's security, called Obama's decision dangerous. This coupled with Obama's implementation of sanctions rather than honor the [[American foreign policy#1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances|1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances]] negotiated by the [[Clinton administration]], displaying it as an empty promise to guarantee Ukrainian independence, only further exposed the befuddlement and inability of the Obama administration to stand by US commitments and the weaknesses of NATO.  

President Obama's decision to move an anti-missile defense system to [[Romania]] during the [[2016 US Presidential election]] only heightened tensions. Putin, who had repeatedly assailed the antimissile system as a grave danger to Russia's security, called Obama's decision dangerous. This coupled with Obama's implementation of sanctions rather than honor the [[American foreign policy#1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances|1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances]] negotiated by the [[Clinton administration]], displaying it as an empty promise to guarantee Ukrainian independence, only further exposed the befuddlement and inability of the Obama administration to stand by US commitments and the weaknesses of NATO.{{fact}}

In September 2013, Putin gave a speech stating the need to strengthen Russian culture with traditional values and the Orthodox Christian church. Also, he condemned Western nations and their godless pursuit of [[political correctness]] and [[homosexuality]].<ref>[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/cdedfd64-214f-11e3-a92a-00144feab7de.html#axzz2jdyir54U Putin urges Russians to return to values of religion, FT.com, September 19, 2013]</ref>

In September 2013, Putin gave a speech stating the need to strengthen Russian culture with traditional values and the Orthodox Christian church. Also, he condemned Western nations and their godless pursuit of [[political correctness]] and [[homosexuality]].<ref>[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/cdedfd64-214f-11e3-a92a-00144feab7de.html#axzz2jdyir54U Putin urges Russians to return to values of religion, FT.com, September 19, 2013]</ref>

In early September 2013, Putin expressly observed that liberal [[John Kerry]] is a liar.

In early September 2013, Putin expressly observed that liberal [[John Kerry]] is a liar.{{fact}}

[[Forbes]] ranked Putin as the most powerful man in the world as of December 2016, while Obama was ranked #48. Putin gains popularity every time he challenges the U.S. or Europe, or sends troops into a former Soviet Republic.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/datablog/2015/jul/23/vladimir-putins-approval-rating-at-record-levels</ref>  

[[Forbes]] ranked Putin as the most powerful man in the world as of December 2016, while Obama was ranked #48. Putin gains popularity every time he challenges the U.S. or Europe, or sends troops into a former Soviet Republic.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/datablog/2015/jul/23/vladimir-putins-approval-rating-at-record-levels</ref>  

Putin is seen as an antagonist by [[liberal]]s in the West, who are angry about their inability to push the [[homosexual agenda]] and pro-[[abortion]] policies on Russia. Putin views NATO enlargement by absorbing former Soviet client states as a potential threat to the Russian Federation. Putin has proposed a policy of "Findlandization", i.e., making permanently neutral the Ukraine and Georgia and not incorporating them into NATO under the US's Partners for Peace program. Putin's alleged rigged election system, nuclear energy contracts and military alliance with Iran have heightened tensions. According to [[mainstream media]], the decline of [[human rights]] in Russia has been dramatic; for example, Russian riot police beat a number of protesters and journalists at an anti-Putin rally at Pushkin Square in Moscow,<ref name="The Economist, April 21, 2007">''The Economist'', April 21, 2007</ref> and Putin rigged national elections for his party <ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSL03585550._CH_.2400</ref>  

Putin is seen as an antagonist by [[liberal]]s in the West, who are angry about their inability to push the [[homosexual agenda]] and pro-[[abortion]] policies on Russia. Putin views NATO enlargement by absorbing former Soviet client states as a potential threat to the Russian Federation. Putin has proposed a policy of "Findlandization", i.e., making permanently neutral the Ukraine and Georgia and not incorporating them into NATO under the US's Partners for Peace program. Putin's alleged rigged election system, nuclear energy contracts and military alliance with Iran have heightened tensions. According to [[mainstream media]], the decline of [[human rights]] in Russia has been dramatic; for example, Russian riot police beat a number of protesters and journalists at an anti-Putin rally at Pushkin Square in Moscow,<ref name="The Economist, April 21, 2007">''The Economist'', April 21, 2007</ref> and Putin rigged national elections for his party <ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSL03585550._CH_.2400</ref>  

Putin has even exercised power over the Russian supreme court. Justice Vladimir Yaroslavtsev was forced to resign after warning that Russian security agencies now control the country as they did in Soviet times and expressing alarm over their lack of accountability. Justice Anatoly Kononov was likewise forced out after defending Yaroslavtsev.<ref>[http://www.robertamsterdam.com/2009/12/are_you_an_independent_russian_judge_youre_fired.htm ''Are You An Independent Russian Judge? You're Fired'', RobertAmsterdam.com]</ref>

Putin has even exercised power over the Russian supreme court, as any [[dictator]] would. Justice Vladimir Yaroslavtsev was forced to resign after warning that Russian security agencies now control the country as they did in Soviet times and expressing alarm over their lack of accountability. Justice Anatoly Kononov was likewise forced out after defending Yaroslavtsev.<ref>[http://www.robertamsterdam.com/2009/12/are_you_an_independent_russian_judge_youre_fired.htm ''Are You An Independent Russian Judge? You're Fired'', RobertAmsterdam.com]</ref>

Many who have reported or protested such things have found themselves being repressed - or killed.<ref>[https://www.americanthinker.com/2009/12/putins_own_worst_enemy.html Kim Zigfeld, ''Putin's Own Worst Enemy''] American Thinker, December 08, 2009</ref><ref>http://larussophobe.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/editorial-another-russian-journalist-takes-the-putin-plunge</ref> Journalist [[Anna Politkovskaya]], an outspoken critic of Putin, was assassinated in 2006,<ref>http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article1819666.ece</ref> and it is widely believed that the Russian government had some involvement in this death. There were 13 journalists killed in contract-style slayings during Vladimir Putin's eight-year presidency.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,438381,00.html Russian Lawyer in Slain Journalist Case Says She, Family Poisoned] AP, October 15, 2008</ref>

Many who have reported or protested such things have found themselves being repressed - or killed.<ref>[https://www.americanthinker.com/2009/12/putins_own_worst_enemy.html Kim Zigfeld, ''Putin's Own Worst Enemy''] American Thinker, December 08, 2009</ref><ref>http://larussophobe.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/editorial-another-russian-journalist-takes-the-putin-plunge</ref> Journalist [[Anna Politkovskaya]], an outspoken critic of Putin, was assassinated in 2006,<ref>http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article1819666.ece</ref> and it is widely believed that the Russian government had some involvement in this death. There were 13 journalists killed in contract-style slayings during Vladimir Putin's eight-year presidency.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,438381,00.html Russian Lawyer in Slain Journalist Case Says She, Family Poisoned] AP, October 15, 2008</ref>