Unpacking Mr. Putin’s decisions, one cannot escape the sense that he is haunted by memories of the sclerotic and impotent leadership of the Soviet Union in its waning years. Russians remain scarred by it — and so Mr. Putin cannot allow his people to see themselves returning to life under a stagnating and aging elite. Mr. Putin was right to believe that any talk about his possible successor would be an existential threat to his power. Resisting the West is Mr. Putin’s definition of Russian sovereignty. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.

Source: New York Times January 27, 2020 06:00 UTC