Ignatius: Putins combative tactics come at a cost for Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — When Russian President Vladimir Putin invited NBC’s Megyn Kelly to question him onstage at a glitzy forum here, maybe he thought he’d have an easier time than Donald Trump did in his confrontation with Kelly during the 2016 campaign. It didn’t work out that way.
Putin’s appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was meant to showcase Russia’s role in the global economy. And in Putin’s prepared remarks, he was a smooth, genial salesman for his country. But then came a session with Kelly that included sharp questions about the hacking scandal, Syria and Ukraine — and Putin grew increasingly aggressive, sarcastic and peeved.
Russians probably liked Putin’s combative performance: That’s part of his brand, and he’s indisputably popular at home. But the day’s events also showed how allegations of Russian meddling abroad, though they’re seen here as evidence of Russia’s revived power, also cloud Putin’s efforts to lure more foreign investment and expand Russia’s global role.
Putin’s abrasive style comes at a cost. Economic sanctions, for example, are probably less likely to be lifted now than was the case at last year’s St. Petersburg forum. American CEOs who have business interests in Russia “are keeping their heads down,” notes a leading U.S. businessman here. “It’s hard to attract new investment in Russia when the political situation [affecting Russia] is so uncertain.”
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