Putin Criticizes EU Militarization, Omits US in Beijing Interview

Beijing, China – August 30, 2025 – russian President Vladimir Putin, currently on a visit to Beijing, delivered a pointed critique of the escalating military posture of the European Union during an interview with the xinhua news agency. Strikingly, the Russian

How dose Putin’s framing of “Wokism” differ from it’s understanding in Western discourse?

Putin’s Ancient Warning to Europeans in xi Jinping’s Court: Reflecting on the Past to shape the Future

The Core of Putin’s Critique: A Moral and Spiritual Decline?

In October 2021, during a period of heightened geopolitical tension, Vladimir Putin articulated a stark warning to European leaders, delivered implicitly within the context of his interactions with Xi Jinping and other global figures. This warning, as reported by Wikipedia and widely discussed in international affairs circles, centers on Putin’s assessment of a perceived “negative state of the west” rooted in a moral and spiritual crisis.He specifically pointed to the rise of “Wokism” – which he frames as “reverse discrimination” favoring minorities over the majority – as evidence of this decline. This isn’t simply a political disagreement; Putin presents it as a fundamental shift in values with potentially destabilizing consequences. Understanding this outlook is crucial for analyzing Russia’s foreign policy and its evolving relationship with China.

Decoding “Wokism” Through the kremlin’s Lens: A Russian Perspective

Putin’s characterization of “Wokism” is considerably different from its common understanding in Western discourse. He doesn’t engage with the nuances of social justice movements. Instead, he views it as a symptom of a broader societal fragmentation and a rejection of customary values.

Perceived Erosion of Traditional Values: Putin consistently emphasizes the importance of national identity, family values, and religious faith. He sees Western societies as increasingly abandoning these foundations.

Focus on Identity Politics: The Kremlin views the emphasis on identity politics as divisive, arguing it undermines social cohesion and national unity.

Critique of Political Correctness: Putin frames “political correctness” as a form of censorship and a suppression of free speech, hindering open debate and critical thinking.

Strategic Tool: Some analysts suggest Putin leverages this critique to appeal to conservative elements within European societies, fostering division and weakening the transatlantic alliance.

This perspective isn’t isolated. It aligns with a broader narrative promoted by Russian state media, which frequently portrays Western societies as decadent and morally bankrupt.

Xi Jinping’s Court: A Platform for Putin’s Message

The context of delivering this message within Xi Jinping’s court is meaningful. China, under Xi, also presents itself as a defender of traditional values and a counterweight to Western influence. This shared ideological ground provides a fertile surroundings for Putin to articulate his concerns and seek alignment.

Shared Anti-western Rhetoric: both Russia and China frequently criticize the United States and its allies for perceived hypocrisy, interference in internal affairs, and attempts to impose their values on others.

Strategic Partnership: The growing strategic partnership between Russia and China is underpinned by a shared desire to reshape the global order and challenge Western dominance.

Alternative World Order: Both nations advocate for a multipolar world order, where power is distributed more evenly among different countries and regions.

Economic Cooperation: Increased economic ties, such as the Power of Siberia gas pipeline, strengthen the relationship and provide mutual benefits.

Historical Parallels: Echoes of Past Warnings

Putin’s warning isn’t entirely novel. Throughout history, leaders have cautioned against societal decay and the abandonment of traditional values.

The Decline of Rome: Putin has alluded to the fall of the Roman Empire as a cautionary tale, suggesting that moral and spiritual decline can lead to societal collapse.

pre-Revolutionary Russia: He frequently invokes the pre-revolutionary period in Russia, portraying it as a time of strong national identity and traditional values, contrasted with the perceived chaos and moral decay that preceded the 1917 revolution.

Conservative Thinkers: Putin’s rhetoric resonates with conservative thinkers throughout history who have warned against the dangers of social fragmentation and moral relativism.

Weakening of Transatlantic Alliance: By exploiting divisions within European societies,putin aims to weaken the transatlantic alliance and reduce Western influence.

Increased Russian Influence: A fragmented Europe is more vulnerable to Russian influence and manipulation.

Shift in Global Power Dynamics: The growing partnership between Russia and China is reshaping the global power dynamics, challenging the long-standing dominance of the United States and its allies.

Energy Security Concerns: Europe’s reliance on Russian energy supplies remains a significant vulnerability, giving Russia leverage over European policymakers.

targeted Disinformation Campaigns: Utilizing social media and online platforms to spread false or misleading information.

* Amplification of Extremist Voices: Giving a platform to extremist voices and fringe