The issuing of the arrest warrant for the Russian President Vladimir Putin already produces effects. The consequences of this approach will have long-term effects and can change the political perspectives not only in Russia, but also at international level and the Republic of Moldova will also be affected, the permanent expert of IPN’s project Igor Boțan stated in a public debate titled “Arrest warrant for Putin: effects for Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Europe”.
“The first effect is behavioral in character. The message for Vladimir Putin is very clear. There is an arrest warrant against him. As regards the Russian elites, they probably make plans for their country and for themselves. It is very important how they decide to act in such a situation. We know that there is an authoritarian, almost dictatorial regime in Russia and there is not much space for interpretations here. It may seem that the positions of President Vladimir Putin remain very strong and that Russia is a country with very larger resources and can resist isolation. But the message is for the elites. What will the elites decide in this situation that somehow condemns the country to self-isolation or to cooperation with a series of countries that, owing to their extraordinary development, can be dangerous for Russia?” said Igor Boțan.
According to the expert, Russia can become a kind of annex to the very developed states with growing economies, such as China and India. The ordinary citizens who will take part in elections are also in a dilemma as they need to decide what they want for their country, for the future of their children. Russia’s prestige was extraordinary, being built during centuries, and this prestige was now destroyed.
Igor Boțan anticipates that this situation will have an extraordinary impact at international level. “There are voices saying that a new iron curtain will fall between the civilized countries that obey international law and the Russian Federation with its allies. Countries that benefit from this situation and will profit from the difficult situation of Russia to obtain economic advantages appeared,” said the expert.
He noted the International Criminal Court’s decision also impacts the opposition parties of Moldova, which have ties with Russia’s ruling party led by Vladimir Putin. Now these politicians keep silent and don’t know how to explain to their voters what the prospects of the cooperation with the Eurasian space are and if such prospects still exist.
“We should not forget that we have parties that signed cooperation agreements with Putin’s party. Normally, society should ask these politicians what they will do next. The good side is that the authorities of the Republic of Moldova align themselves with the policies pursued by the European Unjoin and this means a new historical epoch,” stated Igor Boțan.
The public debate entitled “Arrest warrant for Putin: effects for Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Europe” was the 278th installment of IPN’s project “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.
