Maria Lipman

To think that living standards go down and people, what, revolt? It's too simplistic, that would follow the logic of 'it's the economy, stupid.' But it's not just the economy, stupid.

There is a siege mentality, there are enemies all around, but we stand proud, and we will not bend, we will not surrender to oppression. We are invincible.

The Russian people have a sense that they are under sanctions, they are a fortress under siege, this kind of mentality is disseminated consistently and steadily by Russian television: Who else is there to rely on except Putin? Putin is seen as the savior of the nation, and I think he sees himself in this fashion.

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A source of pride for the overwhelming majority of Russians is the victory of World War II, but that was already 70 years ago, (In Crimea) Putin gave the sense that we are victorious and triumphant and resurgent today.

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Look at these poor Muscovites. ... Oh my God, they complain because they cannot go to Italy on vacation and they can no longer afford to buy Parmesan cheese!

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