It is rather foolish to believe that Vladimir Putin will be replaced after the general election in March, despite the opposition voices of other political challengers. Since the beginning of the war, Putin has been making his political move little by little towards authoritarianism. The entire world should be alarmed by his ultimate goal towards Ukraine, even though he might fail. How should we understand the current political state in Russia?Will election change the political and economic feelings for Russia and the world?

Dr. Alexander Motyl is an American historian, political scientist, poet, writer, translator and artist-painter. He is professor of political science at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey and a specialist on Ukraine, Russia, and the Soviet Union.