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Title: Putin’s Rise & Shift: From Reformist Friend to Europe’s Foe Over 25 Years

In a span of just over two decades, Vladimir Putin’s tenure as Russia’s leader has seen a dramatic shift in his relationship with Europe, from being hailed as a reformist friend to becoming an adversary.

August 1999: Putin’s Ascent

Vladimir Putin’s journey began in August 1999 when he was appointed as Russia’s Prime Minister. Within months, he took over the presidency, succeeding the ailing Boris Yeltsin.

In the West, there was hope that Putin, a KGB veteran, would bring stability to Russia after the tumultuous 1990s. U.S. President George W. Bush, after meeting Putin in Slovenia in 2001, described him as "very straightforward and trustworthy," a man deeply committed to his country’s interests.

Early Promises

Putin’s early policies seemed to validate these expectations. In 2001, he offered a strategic partnership between Russia and European countries, leaving the door open for Russia’s potential NATO and EU membership. The EU and Russia subsequently established several joint programs and initiatives, aiming for a strategic partnership. NATO opened a mission in Moscow, and Russia set up a mission in Brussels.

A Turning Point

The year 2004 marked a shift. Despite Germany’s Chancellor Gerhard Schröder praising Putin as a "natural democrat," Putin’s crackdown on domestic opposition and media drew concerns. Notably, after leaving office, Schröder joined the board of the Russian energy giant Gazprom.

In 2006, Putin signaled a harder stance. He accused the West of not treating Russia as a major power and criticized NATO’s eastward expansion, despite having agreed to it in 1997. He also paused cooperation on nuclear disarmament with the U.S.

Eastern Aggression

Putin’s actions grew more assertive following the 2008 conflict in Georgia, where Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In 2014, he annexed Crimea from Ukraine, triggering international sanctions.

Despite the sanctions and a souring relationship, the EU still hoped for dialogue. In 2013, the European Commission discussed a "common economic and human space" stretching from Lisbon to Vladivostok. However, Putin’s 2014 intervention in Eastern Ukraine dashed those hopes.

A New Era of Confrontation

Since 2014, Putin’s Russia has been on a collision course with the West. In 2022, he was labeled a "war criminal" and a "murderous dictator" by U.S. President Joe Biden following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU also imposed massive sanctions on Russia and aims to reduce its dependence on Russian energy.

Preserving Peace

After 25 years, NATO, once seen as a potential partner, now considers Russia under Putin’s leadership its most significant threat. As Putin enters his third decade in power, Europe and the West aim to strengthen their defenses,while still seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Adapted from a DW article.