The new political season in Russia began with serious transformations of the internal political configuration. President Vladimir Putin announced the preparation of constitutional amendments. After that, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev declared the dissolution of the government. Clarity of action and quick personnel shifts show that these decisions of the Russian leader were the result of long-term planning. Most Western experts agree that the main motivation is Putin’s desire to maintain power after 2024 when his presidency expires. However, after analyzing the dynamics of the country's domestic policy over the past ten years, it becomes obvious that the reasons for these alterations are much deeper. Putin is a classic geopolitical strategist. He sees national interest in ensuring the state's territorial integrity and returning of Russia as a great power that can play an active part in the formation of the new system of international relations. Therefore, he makes...(Read Full Article)