The Catechon in the Kremlin

Historian Beatrice de Graaf discusses her research on Vladimir Putin, focusing on how he utilizes Russian history and religious ideology as political weapons. By analyzing thousands of his speeches, she highlights a shift from early pro-European rhetoric toward a radicalized Byzantine worldview centered on autocracy and orthodoxy. She argues that the West often misinterprets Putin by applying secular lenses to a leader who views himself in the lineage of 19th-century tsars on a divine mission. This perspective suggests that his actions are not merely power politics but are rooted in a consistent ideological framework that rejects modern Western values. Ultimately, de Graaf calls for Europe to strengthen its own collective narrative and resilience to counter this existential challenge.