Putinversteher

Putinversteher or Putin-Versteher is a German political neologism and a buzzword (Putin + verstehen), which literally translates "Putin understander", i.e., "one who understands Putin". [1] It is a pejorative reference to politicians and pundits who express empathy to Vladimir Putin, i.e., who say "yes, but you have to understand Putin's position". A major cornerstone of "Putin-friendly" attitude is the "legitimate interests of Russia" in the post-Soviet states,[2] while another typical trait is anti-Americanism.[3] A similar term is Russlandversteher, "Russia understander". [4][2] It may also be translated as "Putin-Empathizer.[3]

A Putinversteher logo similar to what may be seen on T-shirts, mugs, etc.

The Putinversteher circle is politically heterogeneous and includes figures on both the left and right. It also includes businesspeople with business interests in Russia.[2][4] Paul Roderick Gregory wrote that they "serve as Putin’s first line of defense against meaningful European sanctions for the Anschluss of Crimea". [3]

An example of Putinversteher is former Chancellor of Germany Helmut Schmidt, who said that Putin's annexation of Crimea, while illegitimate, was "understandable".[4][5] Another major Putinversteher is another former Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, who is chairman of the shareholders' committee of Nord Stream. He calls to respect Russian "sensitivities" and seconds the Russian argument which compares separatism of Crimea with that of Kosovo. [3]

The term was embraced in Russia, where, e.g., a company named "Putinversteher" sells memorabilia (rings, clothes etc.) with Putin imagery.[6]

References
  1. "The Putinverstehers’ Misconceived Charge of Russophobia"
  2. "Germany and the disinformation politics of the Ukraine crisis", openDemocracy, November 24, 2014
  3. "Empathizing With The Devil: How Germany's Putin-Verstehers Shield Russia", by Paul Roderick Gregory, April 5, 2014, Forbes
  4. "How very understanding: Germany’s ambivalence towards Russia reflects its conflicted identity", the Economist,
  5. p.270
  6. "В России начались продажи патриотических колец с Путиным за 7500 рублей", gazeta.ru, May 8, 2014
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