Russia’s Greatest Power Lies in Its Culture — Russia has extraordinary achievements in ballet, opera, literature, music, and visual arts that far outweigh its military strength and give it immense soft power.

Putin Focuses on the Wrong Source of Power — Instead of leveraging Russia’s rich cultural heritage, Putin relies on military force and aggression (especially the war in Ukraine), which is destroying what makes Russia truly great.

Russia’s Future Lies in Europe, Not Militarism — If Putin ended the war and allowed democratic reforms, Russia’s deep European cultural roots could lead to EU membership and long-term strength — real power does not come from the barrel of a gun.

Observers say that what drives President Vladimir Putin is to make Russia respected. But perhaps Putin underestimates how much power Russia already has. He has overlooked which trumpets to blow. It is not his “hang tough” policies in military affairs. It is Russia’s culture.

These thoughts were first prompted a few years ago when watching the opening of the new extension of the Mariinsky theatre in St Petersburg on Mezzo television, the French cable station for classical music. (You can see it on U-Tube.) I can’t help but return to these thoughts after coming to realize during some down time this summer that Putin with his everlasting war against Ukraine has moved from democrat to dictator to tyrant, a man who if left in power will take down........

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