Deciphering Vladimir Putin's many appearances since mutiny
Where's Vladimir Putin? That's what we were wondering most of Monday - two days after a dramatic insurrection by the Wagner Group that saw a convoy of mercenary fighters headed to Moscow.
A spokesman for Mr Putin announced a deal to end the Wagner mutiny late on Saturday. But when would the president himself comment on the controversial agreement?
It was controversial because the Wagner mercenaries had rebelled, seized military sites (with apparent ease) and then marched on Moscow; Russian air force pilots had been killed in the mutiny. Yet the Kremlin had agreed not to prosecute Wagner fighters or their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in return for calling off the uprising.
Over the last week, President Putin has made a series of unusual public appearances - all televised - in an apparent attempt to steady the ship.
Monday: Addressing the nation
[...]He tries to bring everyone on side: he thanks the Russian public, Russian officials, religious leaders, the Russian armed forces and his security services. He distinguishes between the leaders of the mutiny and regular Wagner fighters and commanders, whom he praises as patriots. Crucially, he presents himself as the man who averted major bloodshed.
"As soon as these events began to unfold," he says, "in keeping with my direct instructions, steps were taken to avoid spilling blood".
Remember that controversy I was talking about? He doesn't address that.
But, hey, Russia has stepped back from the brink. That's the main thing.
Tuesday: Facing the troops
On Monday he was playing catch-up. By Tuesday morning it's full steam ahead to try to restore his authority.[...]
In his brief address, President Putin again claims that Russian society has come together after the Wagner mutiny. But most of what he says is praise for his military for "stopping a civil war".
There's a minute's silence for the air force pilots who were killed. The president is paying his respects, but still not addressing the question of why Wagner fighters are not being prosecuted over their deaths.
Speech over. Cue the national anthem and a gun salute.
Overall message: the president's not only in charge. With the help of the Russian army and the Russian people, he's just scored a great victory.
Wednesday: Up close and personal
This is probably the most surprising Putin video of the week - perhaps of the year. That's because it's a very un-Putin-like Putin we see, in terms of getting up close and personal with the crowds.[...]
We've grown used to seeing Vladimir Putin keeping his distance from those he comes into contact with. Remember those long Kremlin tables with Putin seated safely at one end and his guests at the other?
Not here. In Dagestan he's kissing children, hugging women, shaking hands and posing for photos.
State TV laps it up.
[...]
Thursday: Standing ovation...and doodles
EPA
President Putin's attending a business conference on Russian brands in Moscow. It doesn't exactly make for another rock-star moment.
President Putin's attending a business conference on Russian brands in Moscow. It doesn't exactly make for another rock-star moment.
Still, any opportunity to try to show (a) he's in charge (b) he's active (c) he has the support of the people.
[...]
From the same event, we see another slightly more bizarre video. President Putin is doodling on an interactive whiteboard.
The result is a cartoon-like red face with three strands of hair. A curious picture from a leader who has learnt the art of political survival.
Lines of loyal troops, gun salutes, screaming fans and a standing ovation.
With these kinds of images, the Kremlin leader is trying to show he's back in control.
He even has time to doodle. He must be feeling confident.
Following the mutiny, we've witnessed a turbo-charged Putin this week. He was here, he was there, he seemed to be everywhere. It was almost as if he'd kicked off his campaign for re-election (his presidential term expires next year).
But positive pictures do not change the fact that the rebellion had taken the Kremlin by surprise. It was a threat. The Wagner fighters had been well on their way to Moscow when the mutiny was called off. It was an unprecedented challenge to Putin's authority.
And the long-term consequences of that are still unclear.
Deciphering Vladimir Putin's many appearances since mutiny
The Russian president has popped up on TV screens multiple times since last weekend's dramatic events - but to what end?
www.bbc.co.uk
