Lawfare Archive: Mikhail Zygar on Putin, the Russia-Ukraine War, and Press Freedom
Summary
Mikhail Zygar discusses the structural incentives driving Putin’s war in Ukraine and the "putinization" of global politics, arguing that the current US administration shares a cynical, realpolitik approach with the Kremlin. He details how Russia dismantled independent media through financial pressure and self-censorship rather than just legal bans, drawing parallels to recent US press access restrictions. The conversation also explores how historical myths justify Russian aggression and why practicing democratic values remains essential despite global disillusionment with liberal democracy.
Topics discussed
Intro: CNN ban and episode context
Guest introduction: Mikhail Zygar
Background: Founding TV Rain in Russia
Media crackdown and exile after 2022
Reporting from abroad vs. Soviet era
Putin's motives for continuing the war
Consolidation of power and 'collective Putin'
Deception regarding ceasefire negotiations
Russia's strategy to re-engage with US
Kremlin view on US politics and cynicism
Rise of illiberalism and realpolitik appeal
Business-like approach to international order
Paradox of using international law for aggression
Superpower status and new world order
Putin's obsession with historical myths
Manipulation of Russian history and identity
Mechanisms of destroying independent media
Oligarchs and media ownership dynamics
Comparing US media threats to Russia
Self-censorship as the biggest threat
Financial pressure and access restrictions
White House press pool controversy
US-Russia collusion vs. ideological alignment
Shared distrust of liberal democracy
Foreign agent laws and speech limits
Disillusionment with democratic ideals
Lessons from Russian civil society struggle
Outro and support information
Listen ad-free on Castria