'Putin has become a caricature of himself’: Understanding Russia with Mark Galeotti | Podcast

Dr Mark Galeotti is a leading expert on Russian history and security. He runs the influential and fascinating podcast and blog ‘In Moscow’s Shadows and is the Director of the consultancy firm Mayak Intelligence and also an Honorary Professor at UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies and a Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI.
We wanted to hear from Galeotti himself about Russian society, politics and statecraft. Without further ado, here’s David Knowles' conversation.
Listen to Mark Galeotti's podcast "In Moscow's Shadow": podfollow.com/1510124746
Listen to The Telegraph's foreign affair podcast, "Battle Lines": podfollow.com/battle-lines-is...
Live Event:
Join us online at the US Embassy in London for a special live recording of Ukraine: The Latest:
extra.telegraph.co.uk/events/...
The event is on Thursday 15 February and starts at 18:30 GMT (13:30 ET).

[@casard5235]

Interesting, usually there is talk of the West not understanding Russia, but Russia not understanding the West is a fresh train of thought.

[@vitalys5395]

Russia understands the west a lot more than the west understands Russia.

[@gmw3083]

​@vitalys5395 The west understands nothing. Not even itself

[@michaelistoma8356]

​@@vitalys5395i agree. But russian's missunderstanding is much more damaging.

[@thomasrush2095]

Russia doesn't understand that we like 3 to 1 odds when facing our military opponents. And the forces of NATO with the US now outnumbers the current total Russian forces by 4 to 1.

[@gmw3083]

@@thomasrush2095 Nato is finished. But dream on...

[@Brasidas69]

Galeotti's thoughts are always worth listening to.

[@charleswhitfield8915]

By far the best Ukraine podcast in a while - it underlines the importance in all conflicts to differentiate between the regime and the people. Middle East is another case in point where the regimes hide behind their population to deflect any criticism.

[@karljensen893]

Great interview well worth hearing.

[@kg192538]

Brilliant commentary. Invite Dr Mark again soon, please.

[@robertatkins9419]

There is, and has never been, anything 'brilliant' about this bought-and-paid-for propagandist.

[@annetteroennow9694]

Rare treat, UKL, thanks for excellent discussion!

[@happyhome41]

I would only take issue with “rare”. Otherwise, agree.

[@gmw3083]

​@@happyhome41 I disagree because I take issue with nonsense.

[@skunkjulio]

Fantastic discussion, much appreciated. Cheers from a career US military officer whose understanding was greatly broadened as a result.

[@rowanhaigh8782]

It’s been a few months since I last heard or read any of Mark’s work; really enjoyed today’s episode. ❤

[@gmw3083]

Keeps getting more nonsensical as Ukraine loses everything

[@footiefan51]

Brilliant discussion. Intelligent and insightful. Has made me re-think my blanket attitude toward Russia ordinary Russians.

[@BurntheKremlin966]

The kremlin is f...d!!

[@ludmilacherkasova3754]

kzbin.info4Ez-_ZzBilY?si=nv0dPia572-P0ZVR

[@karlenedream7790]

Very brilliant interview! Articulate and insightful.

[@trippinluv]

Great! That last bit is great advice, straight out of historical context, but, I fear, despite the warning, history is doomed to repeat itself.

[@ludmilacherkasova3754]

kzbin.info4Ez-_ZzBilY?si=nv0dPia572-P0ZVR

[@j.dunlop8295]

Nine (9) wars on non NATO countries, since the fall of the Soviet union! Putin's desperately trying to stall, for rearming and recruiting more Cannon fodder!! Everyone who knows him, says so! 🇺🇦💙 (🙏☮️)

[@markmuller7962]

Where's China in that equation of the future self-democratization of Russia? In fact I'm convinced that Putin would've never took this anti democracy/anti West path without a strong and rich China behind him

[@isimportantwhatever]

China itself is experiencing economic stagnation. I guess if Russia will embark upon democratization, Chinese might want to try the same, as they were inspired during the perestroyka. These sentiments had been heralded by the Tiananmen protests

[@markmuller7962]

@@isimportantwhatever It's not the 60s anymore my friend, China is not going to follow the model of the pathetic little weak contemporary Russia

[@steveennever9905]

Is asking to join NATO now considered taking an anti-west path?

[@markmuller7962]

@@steveennever9905 omfg that's the cheapest propaganda I've ever seen

[@markmuller7962]

@@isimportantwhatever It's not the 60s anymore my friend, China is not gonna follow a pathet. weak little Russia in contemporary times

[@gee3883]

Marks command of the English language is a delight.

[@massimozanasi]

For someone born and raised in Surrey he has an excellent command indeed 😊

[@Lupi33z]

AI^

[@davidcpugh8743]

Good discussion. Rings true.

[@ludmilacherkasova3754]

kzbin.info4Ez-_ZzBilY?si=nv0dPia572-P0ZVR

[@anatoliidudko7029]

As a Ukrainian I am so glad that more and more people in the west start to understand putins russia. Great input.

[@p.pingtam7253]

Understand that your country doesn't exist anymore, comrade, 😂.

[@user-ww8nz5oo2l]

yes we understand Ukraine is an arm of manipulation by nato and uses Ukraine to assume victim status giving them ease to start unjust provocations to economically weaken Russia.

[@150tries]

''Galeotti has also worked on several Glorantha-related books and fanzines. and wrote the HeroQuest (role-playing game)-engined standalone RPG Mythic Russia''.. he plays childrens games!

[@gmw3083]

He lives in lalaland

[@chefcorinth]

Boohoo

[@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis]

@@gmw3083obvious trolls are obvious.

[@gmw3083]

@@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis Reality may be harmful to your fantasies. It's still reality....

[@robmcdonald8896]

Great interview!

[@luskvideoproductions869]

Wonderful interview guys, Dr. Galeotti is so insightful about such a nebulous ruler, thanks for having him on!

[@Lupi33z]

AI^

[@joythought]

Brilliant speaker.

[@bubbajim2863]

*"PROFESSING THEMSELVES TO BE WISE, THEY BECAME FOOLS....ROMAN 1..."*

[@gmw3083]

That's the telegraph

[@mivapusa]

If electronic voting is so prone to manipulation, we probably shouldn't use it in the West either...

[@emresario001]

thats exacly why politicians want it so badly

[@kaxin1367]

email is also more prune to hacking than mail ... But we have laws to prevent that.

[@0bservationis1]

They have methods for double verification.

[@Cotictimmy]

Yup the temptation of the ruling elite to manufacture the result is just too strong.

[@gaoxiaen1]

@@kaxin1367 LOL!

[@alexs555]

Remarkably accurate

[@p.d.stanhope7088]

The last time Russians went onto the streets was protesting over Pension Reform in 2018.

[@richardmarsden5610]

Last time Europeans and Americans went on the streets protesting was today. Giving multi billions of borrowed aid for an elites war in Ukraine being part of the reason.

[@leoniewilliamson2811]

Brilliant speech.

[@davidboskett5581]

Mark Galeotti is one of the best analysts of Russia -great interview

[@thumper1747]

Mark’s understanding and appreciation of the bigger picture should be required listening for all politicians in the west

[@michaelevans4110]

The Telegraph is becoming a caricature of a news source.

[@susansprague7304]

Thanks, David & co! PSA - Prof, Galeotti also has a new YT channel.

[@slimski]

Superb

[@jessewhittemore784]

Konstantin Samilov has a whole episode about this. Inside Russia on youtube. And yes, of course its not. Try explaining that to a drunk Russian

[@orangehairbrain8733]

This is an invaluable resource.

[@terrygain1343]

It’s good, but Stephen Kotkin is better.

[@robertatkins9419]

An Invaluable resource for propaganda - agreed.

[@jessehachey2732]

@@robertatkins9419You wouldn’t know propaganda if it flew in your face 🙄

[@quad2036]

I agree with everything Galleoti says except for his description of Russian apathy as a 'soviet pattern of things'. Its a lot older than that. It is a Russian mindset. They are willing hostages

[@seanniemeyer5437]

Excellent interview

[@lancechapman3070]

I find, in the US, one needs to go out of their way to see what is really going on, though without the technical difficulties.

[@gooldii1]

??

[@akeleven]

BBC has a reputation for accuracy but it does ignore issues.

[@BaaaadBlobby]

In regards to your guests last point… I have often thought that we (the west) should have two different names for Russians… one for those who have seen the wrongness of what is happening and those who believe like Putin with the hive mentality that nothing or no one matters besides the queen (or in this case Putin) and those that closely serve and protect.

[@Maja-Danmark]

That's 3?

[@msmaryna961]

Russians in Europe continue to harass, threaten and attack Ukrainians. They are violent and soaked in a mythology that prevents self reflection. Until, Russians take the time to self reflect and pay reparations for their crimes, I don’t trust them.

[@janinecalo8229]

Brilliant insight as always from the telegraph .

[@stephenhill545]

The 30 minute diatribe on medieval history was not evidence of a twenty-first century rational statesman.

[@lancerevo9747]

Statesmen should know their history. That way they would be aware of the customs, traditions and beliefs of their people in order to represent them well to the world.

[@cmbergersct3492]

It was full of lies so, no.

[@cmbergersct3492]

Galeotti did say Putin's losing it a little...

[@jimmcintosh184]

Such a good explination of things from a neutral Russian point of view. My eyes have been opened and I am grateful to your show for this

[@user-ql5kg5ek2h]

Extremely insightful. Ranks up there with Fred Kagan, Ben Hodges, Tim Snyder. From the Philippines, Slava Ukraine!🇺🇦

[@Mr.Funnyman273]

Тарас, пиздуй на фронт.

[@robertsteele474]

It definitely ranks of something.

[@Whistlewalk]

VERY interesting conversation. Definitely some points to think about, although more of a confirmation on most of his points from general observation. Once Putin is gone (I have no illusians that he will stop this blood bath while still alive and in power) it will be very interesting to watch who takes the reins and how the people of Russia react to their new reality. They are for many reasons important to the future of our planet and we need to find the right ways of inviting them back into our world so that they feel valued. Vancouver Island, BC

[@malcolmthomas817]

Fascinating and so insightfull. (Im a Brit living in Germany)

[@necamilosavljevic8722]

englez koji zivi u nemackoj - najbolja moguca kombinacija za jednog nacistu i potencijalnog masovnog ubicu

[@AdrianR2]

@@necamilosavljevic8722 is a troll - do not feed

[@iongabrieljitianu2753]

Ty for your hard work

[@caseytaylor1487]

Spectacular interview!

[@alanchristensen5735]

Excellent interview. Insightful and informative.

[@keli4068]

Anyone thinks Putin acts irationally have no idea what happened in east Ukraine between 2014 and 2022

[@DARDA360]

I can confirm that they are avid anglophiles. Goes back to the times of Ivan The Terrible who kept a ship ready to sail to England in case of a serious danger to his life.

[@cmbergersct3492]

Russian royals had English cousins!

[@DARDA360]

@@cmbergersct3492 They were also cousins with German Royals. All Royals were and still are related.

[@charlesmackey8179]

Excellent as usual !

[@ladyellensings3666]

I thoroughly enjoyed this interview!!!

[@mariadorosariodaraujofaria7705]

I agree 😊

[@JasmineJDMgirl]

❤❤ Glory to the heroes of Ukraine 🇺🇦 🙏 Slava Ukraini ❤❤ Ukraine 🇺🇦 ♥ ❤ Slava ❤❤❤

[@31Blaize]

To be fair to the Russian perspective of the UK, we reciprocate albeit not to quite the same degree in assuming that the FSB might be behind any nefarious plot despite their clear incompetence.

[@aaseulimoen6038]

Excellent ! Thanks a million from Norway !

[@cynthiakt5302]

Excellent

[@stevenovetsky3274]

💙💛

[@robertatkins9419]

Some smart-Alec here said that I would know propaganda if it flew in my face. Trouble is though, I do recognize it when I see it, which is why I came here to call out Galeotti and the Telegraph.

[@jaykolinsky6020]

Interesting points brought up by Dr. Galeotti. He seems clearly ahead of most when it comes to understanding Putin and his circle of elitists that were born from (and flourished during) the Soviet era. The only part that I disagree with, and I think I am mostly alone in this theory, is regarding Prigozhin. I don't think the whole Prigozhin ordeal was what it was portrayed to be, and I don't necessarily agree with speaking about him using the past tense.

[@CoffeeAndPaul]

Prigozhin's dead & the Concord Group is no longer an operating business empire. Wagner are now glorified miners, illegally mining gold & gems in Senegal, Mali & a couple other places to fund Putin's invasion.

[@The_ZeroLine]

10:55 one of those combat mosquitoes the Kremlin’s been on about almost got Galeotti.

[@stephendevincenzi4587]

Excellent episode!!

[@cheryldavis7813]

Very helpful interview

[@marcokuijntjes4695]

Thanks...Marko from the Netherlands 👍

[@annapatrikeevna1464]

The Netherlands and Ukraine are forever brothers and our father is Bandera and Ukraine is our mother. The hero of Ukraine Bandera was an ally of Hitler. On May 15, 1940, the Germans killed the unwanted people of the Netherlands . your ancestors and the ancestors of Bandera Ukraine served the Third Reich. Bandera and the Netherlands are brothers forever.

[@annapatrikeevna1464]

The Netherlands and Ukraine are forever brothers and our father is Bandera and Ukraine is our mother. The hero of Ukraine Bandera was an ally of Hitler. On May 15, 1940, the Germans killed the unwanted people of the Netherlands . your ancestors and the ancestors of Bandera Ukraine served the Third Reich. Bandera and the Netherlands are brothers forever.

[@michaelistoma8356]

As a russian i can aprove everything that was said. Why are there so many dislikes?!

[@Witnessmoo]

It’s very very sad how North Korea is suppling Russia whilst we dither on the question of giving weapons to Ukraine to defend their own people 😢 It’s so sad

[@ReichLife]

Sad is indeed how we give away weapons like idiots, all while Russia is actually buying. Ukrainians wants more? They can buy themselves out of theirs' pocket.

[@chillydawgg4354]

The blockage of US aid to Ukraine is 100% on Republicans.

[@nastybadger-tn4kl]

Its opposite. its west is caricature of themself. Putin is consistent. He says same thing he said 20 years ago.

[@joeschmoe21]

UK has a Indian Hindoo PM, and a Pakistani Muslim Mayor of London.... UK is a caricature of itself. But some in UK still think of themselves as a lackey of US (itself drowning in BLM and latinos). UK should be a lackey of India and Pakistan now

[@gmw3083]

Zackly

[@sparkcommunications2499]

Excellent episode, learned alot from Mark, his insights are superb

[@pbinnj3250]

Really amazing. Every word.

[@RightSideNews]

Mark galeotti is the goat

[@errolkim1334]

I'm DAVID KNOWLES!!

[@mariafoster7388]

Interesting interview

[@brianelliott9861]

Supurb - as always

[@garypCronshaw]

The Telegraph has become a caricature of itself.

[@errolkim1334]

Galeotti says there are housewives in Siberia uploading tik tok videos about price rises and Police officers uploading videos about not liking having to "truncheon" people. Then he says there are people in Russia who don't know there is a war going on.

[@wunderlol]

It is really worth listening to the whole thing. Indeed.

[@ludmilacherkasova3754]

kzbin.info4Ez-_ZzBilY?si=nv0dPia572-P0ZVR

[@annyer262]

More fictional stories from the Telegraph!

[@allrpg10]

Waiting for stories about American wars: Vietnam War (Continued involvement until 1973) Mayaguez Incident (1975) Lebanese Civil War (1982-1984, U.S. involvement) Invasion of Grenada (1983) Bombing of Libya (1986) Tanker War (Part of the Iran-Iraq War, 1987-1988, U.S. involvement) Invasion of Panama (1989-1990) Gulf War (1990-1991) Somali Civil War (1992-1995, U.S. involvement) Bosnian War (1995, U.S. involvement in NATO operations) Kosovo War (1999, U.S. involvement in NATO operations) War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Iraq War (2003-2011) War in Northwest Pakistan (2004-2017, part of the War on Terror) Intervention in Libya (2011, as part of NATO operations) Intervention against ISIL (2014-present) Intervention in Syria (2014-present) Yemeni Civil War (2015-present, U.S. involvement primarily through drone strikes and special operations)

[@terryross2388]

It is all a matter of your frame of reference. In this case, the caricaturisation is in the eye of the beholder. This is interesting, as it reveals more about the one making the claim than it does about the Russian president.

[@LanaPleine]

True 💯 unfortunately very few people understand that

[@Llewellyn2844]

Putin lives rent-free in Galeotti's head.

[@joythought]

Rubbish. Standard Kremlin cliched diversion.

[@user-gu1ti9me6i]

Very well said.

[@Heater-v1.0.0]

Well, my frame of reference is reality and verifiable factual statements about reality. With reality in mind it is trivial to show that Putin lies all the time, from stories about the history of Russia to facts about recent times. Just listen to the famous Tucker+Putin interview and count the false hoods presented. Call that "caricature" or not, we can see what is going on.

[@Cotictimmy]

Favourite Quote: "I'd love to live in THAT Britian." 🤣 About Putin's concept of Western 'Degeneracy'. I despise Woke race politics, Cancel Culture, and lunatic Gender Theory - but I'd want to fight off the MONSTROUS evil of Putin as well as fighting the evils of woke institutional capture here at home.

[@Lupi33z]

Most of these comments are fake AI generated. Pretty desperate.

[@aaron2709]

Poo-tin has not changed. His goal was always to re-form the Soviet Union.

[@2Oldcoots]

"They don't know what the truth is" begs the question what does the West do to change that state of affairs?

[@equarg]

This did not age well this week. Alexey(?) had died.

[@salassian3162]

Kudos, The Telegraph. That was an awesome interview. So glad Galeotti was allowed to yammer on. His knowledge and insight goes deep.

[@igypop1883]

more like both US & UK has become a caricature of itself..

[@MCSonixx]

💙💛💙💛💙💛

[@richardmarsden5610]

The elderly old man with memory problems in The White House can't remember how to off-ramp and exit.

[@joythought]

Kremlin gremlin, good try

[@robertsteele474]

@@joythought Who is president of Mexico and France, Langley?

[@aiistyt]

It was a pretty old US president that destroyed the USSR

[@henilisema1517]

🙏

[@friedrichtraffelet8594]

The best Analyse!

[@jessehachey2732]

*Analysis, pick one language!

[@jonasaabel]

Putin really is a pathetic figure. The interview with TC exposed him, and I don't think he got many new fans from it.

[@savydude1]

I'm a fan...

[@prick.donalds]

Does Charles pay taxes? Why do common British citizens pay but not the royal family? Is that not discrimination?

[@jamesthomas4841]

​@@savydude1but not a new one.

[@jerrellholder8382]

😂😂 fans??putin is a leader not a celebrity..how many fans western politicians have??and tell me a president in the west that actually work for the people and not big corporations that just suck the finances from the poor man..I don't see any sort of improvement in western lives for the regular 9-5 guy

[@LanaPleine]

Biden is your role model, it's obviouse 😅

[@chrisviking7807]

A 'rational actor'? That depends how one defines 'rational'. In my book 'rational' people do not behave like Putin! Putin certainly follows certain patterns and laws, indeed his behavior is very predictable, but I wouldn't call that 'rational'.

[@daydays12]

I agree. Absolute power corrupts absolutely...absolute power creates delusions....irrationality grows because there is no real world testing.

[@Mr.Funnyman273]

hohla sprosit' zabyli

[@CoffeeAndPaul]

​@@Mr.Funnyman273, greetings, friend! How are things in Katsapistan? Have the prices of those eggs gone down yet? How's that "industrial accident" investigation at Izhevskb going?

[@errolkim1334]

The coup against Mossadeq was the same. British idea, American resources.

[@mango2005]

Putin is nearly Franco and Salazar's age now. Sooner or later his health will force him to go or he will die of old age. Then maybe a different leader will make peace. The Salazar regime in Portugal was fighting an unpopular war against the independence of the Portuguese colonies when he died. The new regime under Marcelo Caetano tried to continue but was overthrown in an army mutiny and the new government granted the colonies independence,. The actual fighting in Africa had been a stalemate.

[@HuonStride-to2um]

Brilliant

[@zapfanzapfan]

Speaking of Gerasimov, where is he?

[@necamilosavljevic8722]

Idi proveri pickice

[@MrGreg771]

Ukraine has strategically withdrawn westward from Avdeyevka in order to be closer to the European Union.Another Ukrainian success!!!URAAAAAAAAA!!!!

[@commonsense364]

Great interview❤❤❤ but still hides the bias and reason why west repeatedly fail and underestimate Russians😂

[@henriquemanuel]

Parabéns a todis....😂😂😂😂 O exército ucra já chegou a Moscovo 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Esperem....acho que os cromos ucras voltaram a perder mais uma cidade no Donbass 😂😂😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉 FAB all ucras 💥💥💥💥

[@victoriahigman6802]

This is so interesting. Some of it funny is not so serious

[@qjtvaddict]

Russian elections are like US elections but honest and out of the closet!!!😅😅😅

[@16252]

Carlson had to wait two hours before Putin turned up. Two hours!

[@samsungtap4183]

Any other western journalist would wait for ever !

[@davidboskett5581]

Most autocratic leaders arrive late -it delivers a message

[@Altrop]

@@davidboskett5581 Naw Putin just has ADHD, time blindness. Confirmed