The first three articles of this issue of Diplomaatia offer reflections on Russian society before the Russian presidential elections on Sunday, March 4, whose outcome was widely considered to be fixed in advance. Looking at...

The loss of fear is the most important factor on Russia’s road to a more civilised state.

Blatantly rigged elections are the easiest way for the Putin regime to mimic the authoritarian power it does not possess. December's protests destroyed Putin's reputation of being in control; even genuinely competitive elections...