Much like American Presidents, the first 100 days of Vladimir Putin’s third term as President of Russia has revealed many of his policy priorities and set the tone for the remainder of his term. Though Putin used his inaugural address to proclaim a “new” Russian development Will Pomeranz, deputy director of the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute, argues in a Wilson Center paper that “on closer inspection [it] looks much like the old one, with the Russian state defending its interests above those of its people.”

Pomeranz explains how Putin has reaffirmed his grip on power in Russia by asserting control over the energy sector, reinforcing Russia’s power vertical, and weakening oversight institutions. He argues that this power grab “has only set the stage for a more dramatic second act in the Presidency of Vladimir Putin,” making the scenario for confrontation with other parts of Russian society even more likely.