Putinversteher
Putinversteher or Putin-Versteher is a German political neologism and a buzzword (Putin + verstehen), which literally translates "Putin understander", i.e., "one who understands Putin".[1] It is a pejorative reference to politicians and pundits who express empathy to Vladimir Putin, i.e., who say "yes, but you have to understand Putin's position". There are Putinversteher above all in the right-wing party AfD and the socialistic party Die Linke and especially in the SPD.[2]
A major cornerstone of "Putin-friendly" attitude is the "legitimate interests of Russia" in the post-Soviet states,[3] while another typical trait is anti-Americanism.[4] A similar term is Russlandversteher, "Russia understander".[5][3][6] It may also be translated as "Putin-Empathizer.[4]
The Putinversteher circle is politically heterogeneous and includes figures on both the left and right. It also includes businesspeople with business interests in Russia.[3][5] Paul Roderick Gregory wrote that they "serve as Putin’s first line of defense against meaningful European sanctions for the Anschluss of Crimea".[4]
An example of Putinversteher is former Chancellor of Germany Helmut Schmidt (SPD), who said that Putin's annexation of Crimea, while illegitimate, was "understandable".[5][7] The same opinion was expressed by the former Minister President of Brandenburg Matthias Platzeck (SPD), who demanded moreover to legalize Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.[8] The former First Mayor of Hamburg, Klaus von Dohnanyi (SPD), said as late as January 2022: ″I don't see any radicalisation in Putin. I rather see the consistent pursuit of his goal to become a factor in world politics again.″[9]
Another major Putinversteher is the former German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, who is chairman of the shareholders' committee of Nord Stream. He calls to respect Russian "sensitivities" and seconds the Russian argument which compares separatism of Crimea with that of Kosovo.[4]
Other well-known Putinversteher are Sahra Wagenknecht (Die Linke), West-German feminist Alice Schwarzer and the former European Commissioner Günter Verheugen (SPD).[10]
The term was embraced in Russia, where, e.g., a company named "Putinversteher" sells memorabilia (rings, clothes etc.) with Putin imagery.[11]
See also
External links
- Gregor Peter Schmitz: „Putin-Versteher“ im Westen, comment on Radio Deutschlandfunk, February 26, 2022 (German)
References
- ^ Andreas Umland, "The Putinverstehers’ Misconceived Charge of Russophobia" (reposted as a blog)
- ^ Friederike Haupt: Putinversteher am Abgrund, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, February 26, 2022.
- ^ a b c Andriy Portnov, "Germany and the disinformation politics of the Ukraine crisis", openDemocracy, November 24, 2014
- ^ a b c d "Empathizing With The Devil: How Germany's Putin-Verstehers Shield Russia", by Paul Roderick Gregory, April 5, 2014, Forbes
- ^ a b c "How very understanding: Germany’s ambivalence towards Russia reflects its conflicted identity", the Economist,
- ^ "Was die Putin-Versteher in Deutschland antreibt", Die Welt, March 20, 2014
- ^ p.270
- ^ Platzeck will Russlands Annexion der Krim legalisieren. (Platzeck wants to legalise Russia's annexation of Crimea.) Süddeutsche Zeitung, November 18, 2022.
- ^ Matthias Iken: Klaus von Dohnanyi: „Ich sehe bei Putin keine Radikalisierung.“ Hamburger Abendblatt, January 14, 2022.
- ^ Was die Putin-Versteher in Deutschland antreibt. Die Welt, March 20, 2014.
- ^ "В России начались продажи патриотических колец с Путиным за 7500 рублей", gazeta.ru, May 8, 2014
