Who is Your Real Master, America?

Who is Your Real Master, America?

Recently, Vladimir Putin said that European politicians will stand at Trump’s “feet and wag their tails obediently.” At the same time, the following headline appeared in one of the latest NYT articles: “Putin Has Long Wanted More Power in Europe. Trump Could Grant It.” In our opinion, the feet that, according to Putin, should attract politicians all over the world are his own. Donald Trump and the entire United States should also “wag their tails obediently” near the Russian president.

Over the past few years, Moscow’s grip on the global political stage has tightened, fueling the rise of right-wing and far-right movements across Europe and America. Vladimir Putin isn’t just reshaping Russia - he’s setting his sights on the world.

Putin's Ideological Guidelines

What shapes Vladimir Putin’s worldview? Look no further than the words of Ivan Ilyin, the fascist-leaning philosopher he openly admires:

• “Russian political fascism (...) will it be able to remain pure?”

• “They do not call their regime ‘fascist.’ Let us hope that Russian patriots will thoroughly analyze the mistakes of fascism and National Socialism and will not repeat them.”

• “The spirit of Russian fascists is patriotic, strong-willed, and active.”

And if that wasn’t enough, here’s Ilyin’s take on the early persecution of Jews under Hitler:

• “I categorically refuse to assess the events of the past three months in Germany from the perspective of German Jews, who have been deprived of their public legal capacity, have suffered material losses, or have even left the country. I understand their state of mind, but I cannot make it a criterion of good and evil, especially when evaluating and studying global phenomena such as German National Socialism.”

"I’ve been reading Ilyin, and yes, I am still reading him today,” said Putin in 2021.

Support for the European far right aligns perfectly with Putin's strategy of fostering strong movements in European countries that share the ideology of philosopher Ilyin and can promote Moscow’s interests.

Cases of funding, through Kremlin-affiliated structures, of right-wing parties in Europe have been proven by the independent press. These cases include French right-wing politician Marine Le Pen, the heir to her far-right father who denied the Holocaust, and the right-wing German party Alternative for Germany, whose rhetoric is also extremely close to the far-right.

Close Relations Between the Kremlin and Israel

Paradoxically, the Kremlin also manages to maintain close relations with Israel. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine and the introduction of sanctions against Russia, Israel has been - and remains - the only friendly developed democracy in relation to the Kremlin.

The Kremlin’s Close Ties with Hamas

Despite the seemingly warm relationship between Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, Russia’s ties with Hamas have steadily strengthened throughout the years, serving as a key element of Moscow’s foreign policy strategy. Unlike the U.S., the EU, and Israel, Russia does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization. This position was solidified back in 2006 when the Kremlin officially welcomed Hamas leaders to Moscow and later repeatedly affirmed its vision of the group as a "legitimate political force."

In 2023, Hamas representatives were even honored guests at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, further emphasizing the high level of contact between Moscow and the group. That same year, CNN quoted Hamas spokesperson Ali Baraka, who oversees the group's foreign relations, as saying: “We have factories for producing Kalashnikovs and ammunition. We manufacture bullets with Russia’s permission.”

Finally, Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel played into Putin’s hands by diverting global attention away from Russia’s war in Ukraine and positioning Israel as the new “global villain.”

Trump as Russia’s Overseas Partner

For years, Russian state and pro-Kremlin media have carefully cultivated an overwhelmingly positive image of Donald Trump. Unlike their usual harsh rhetoric toward most Western leaders, Russian propaganda consistently highlights Trump’s "uniqueness" and "decisiveness." During his first term, Kremlin-controlled outlets portrayed him as a leader open to dialogue with Moscow. Russian media frequently shows clear sympathy for Trump’s isolationist foreign policy, amplifying his statements criticizing NATO and Democratic politicians, and reprimanding U.S. support for Ukraine.

One of Putin’s key ideologists is Alexander Dugin. He is a former Satanist who now believes that only Russian folk dances and men who don’t shave their beards can save the world. Dugin views Donald Trump as a potential ally in the West. In his speeches and writings, Dugin has repeatedly celebrated Trump’s rise to power. He parallels Trump’s policies and Putin’s governance model, claiming they have much in common. Well, we can’t wait to see American politicians with long beards dancing Russian folk dances.

Following Trump’s election victory in 2024, his closest ally became Elon Musk. Increasingly associated with right-wing populist views, Musk has been embraced by Trump’s team as a key partner. He frequently criticizes liberal and progressive movements and, like Putin and Trump, champions so-called "conservative" values. So-called, because it’s hard to see what’s conservative about repeatedly swapping wives and partners, fathering children out of wedlock, and naming one’s offspring a combination of numbers and letters.

Obviously, none of these three figures - Trump, Putin, or Musk - have anything to do with conservatism or traditional values. Their own life stories prove it.

Does Putin Really Support the Far Right?

As much as Putin likes to read Ilyin, he, in our opinion, understands that open cooperation with ultra-right parties will not bring him the desired influence and power. In addition, a significant part of modern Russian propaganda is built around Victory Day and the fight against Nazism. For example, in the mid-2000s, when Putin had already been in power for five years in Russia, a “purge” of ultra-right skinheads was carried out. The leaders of street gangs and their main allies were jailed.

Modern Conservative Revolution, Neo-Nazism, or Just a Desire for Power?

Let’s connect the dots. Over the past decades, Vladimir Putin has positioned himself not just as Russia’s ruler but as the mastermind behind a global far-right resurgence - one he neatly rebrands as a “modern conservative revolution.”

At its core, this concept promotes authoritarianism, nationalism, and supremacy, serving as the ideological foundation for strengthening Putin’s grip on power and building a global force that echoes the darkest chapters of history. Call it what you want - but this isn’t just conservative politics. It’s the resurgence of an ideology alarmingly close to Nazism. A key element of his strategy has been a global network of allies - ranging from Donald Trump and Hamas to figures like Elon Musk and Marine Le Pen. Through them, Putin amplifies his influence and tightens his grip on power. These political leaders and movements, whether knowingly or not, act as puppets in his larger game. And it seems that Donald Trump is just one of them.