Vladimir Putin reminds one of his most well-known critics of Tsar Nicholas I, who once fought several European states over Crimea.
But that is by no means the only parallel.
Moscow – Vladimir Putin sees himself as one of the greatest leaders in the history of Russia.
That's why the Kremlin boss obviously thinks he's on a mission to help his country regain the glory of days gone by.
To be mentioned in history in the same breath as Peter the Great or Alexander I.
The 70-year-old looks up to both of them.
Under Peter I, the Russian Empire had risen to become a major European power, and Alexander I managed to repel Napoleon's attack despite being outnumbered.
However, Putin is far from such fame.
Now he even has to be compared to another tsar – and that certainly won't flatter him.
Boris Nadezhdin better stay away from open windows...
Frankly, I'm amazed he's still around.
#History #Russia #Putin #Crimea #RussiaUkraineWar pic.twitter.com/EivZ9n5sf7
— Natalka (@NatalkaKyiv) April 4, 2023
Putin critics on Russian TV: "A sinister copy of Tsar Nicholas I."
"The more I think about how Putin is developing, the more I see him as an eerie copy of Tsar Nicholas I," Boris Nadezhdin stated in a talk show on Russian television, not only because of the Ukraine war.
The almost one-minute clip was tweeted by a self-proclaimed Ukrainian-American artist named "Natalka" from the organization "Maidan United", which has been raising funds for Ukraine since 2014.
The excerpt is provided with English subtitles.
Numerous videos and news related to the invasion are published daily on the Twitter account.
She wrote about the clip: "Boris Nadezhdin should better stay away from open windows ... To be honest, I'm amazed that he still exists." Which of course means nothing other than that the former member of parliament lives dangerously.
Because Nadezhdin is known as a Putin critic and does not hold back with his opinion.
He often becomes the whipping boy among the guests on talk shows.
Video: Fire in the Russian Ministry of Defense
Putin like Tsar Nicholas I once did?
Both came to power rather unexpectedly
But back to his comparison between Putin and Nicholas I, who succeeded his childless brother Alexander I and thus came to power somewhat unexpectedly.
“In 1825 Nicholas I acceded to the throne by accident.
Just like with Putin.
Nicholas I should never have been a tsar.
There was a whole queue in front of him," Nadeschdin complained, without naming the people in the queue.
Putin's rise to the top was quick, too, the former KGB agent rising to the helm in 2000 just months after becoming prime minister after Boris Yeltsin resigned during his second term.
Nadezhdin also included military successes in his parallels, which both Putin and Nicholas I seemed to encourage in their campaigns.
"The great victory of 1812 and the victory of 1945 were part of the basis of Russia's legitimacy," added the ex-Duma member, referring to the successes over Napoleon and Nazi Germany, each of which acted as an aggressor.
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Which tsar does he most resemble?
Vladimir Putin sees himself alongside Peter the Great and Alexander I, but one critic draws parallels with Nicholas I.
© IMAGO / SNA
Putin and the fight for Crimea: Nicholas I failed with the project against a united Europe
“Nicholas I began to believe that because of the victory in 1812, Russia would defeat everyone again.
He took an anti-European path," Nadezhdin complained and led the Crimean War, whose ignominious end for Russia in 1956 the Tsar did not live to see: "During the war, Russia not only stood alone against the united European forces, but also that Ottoman Empire."
France, Great Britain, the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Sardinia joined forces at that time.
Almost half a million people lost their lives on the side of the defeated Russians.
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
"The only good thing about it is that the next tsar abolished serfdom, introduced an independent judicial system, etc.", Nadezhdin referred to Alexander II, eldest son of Nicholas I and who went down in history as a reformer and liberator.
A look at history also gives hope to the Putin opponent, who was only interrupted at this point in his speech by other participants in the round, but then added: "I don't think this will last much longer.
This regime will end.”
(mg)
