Politico: Khamenei's Elimination Activated Putin's Two Main Instincts
- 3.03.2026, 12:23
It's not just paranoia that's escalated.
The U.S. strikes on Iran have undoubtedly intensified the Russian dictator's paranoia and his desire to defeat Ukraine.
The assassination of Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has undoubtedly activated two of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's deepest instincts.
The first is a deep-seated paranoia about his own longevity and a desire for political survival defined by victory over Ukraine at any cost, writes Politico.
The publication emphasized that both were demonstrated in a short statement on the Kremlin's website, in which Putin condemned Khamenei's assassination as "a murder ... committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law."
The journalists pointed out that it was a sharper reaction than after the capture of another former Russian ally, Venezuelan Nicolas Maduro.
"Yet Putin, remarkably, did not name the countries behind the assassination," the publication wrote.
Where Putin's paranoia comes from
The publication took a brief trip back in time to explain the reasons for Putin's current paranoia. It is noted that in Russia, Khamenei's death has sparked comparisons to the overthrow of another dictator, Muammar Gaddafi in Libya.
According to Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar in 2011, the elimination of Gaddafi sent Putin into a frenzy.
In May 2012, shortly after Gaddafi's ouster, Putin returned to the presidency and as the publication noted, probably to break with the West and root out domestic dissent, which he accused of seeking to collaborate with Russia's enemies to effect regime change.
"It was Gadhafi's death that became a turning point in Russian politics, both foreign and domestic," said Alexander Baunov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Center.
The analyst added that the fact that the United States and Europe allowed Gadhafi to be overthrown so brutally was seen by Putin, a former KGB agent, as "the height of betrayal."
"Over the years, Putin has become increasingly isolated. And recent events have only increased his paranoia," the publication stated.
"How they are going to kill us": what Kremlin propaganda is saying
The publication noted that while Russian officials have avoided criticizing Washington over its operation in Iran, Kremlin propaganda speaks for everyone.
"Do we realize that talking about Iran is also talking about Russia?" the publication reported the words of Russia's chief propagandist Solovyov.
Another Kremlin mouthpiece, Alexander Dugin, spread the idea that Washington may be planning to do the same to Russia.
"It is clear who is next, and it is clear what negotiations with such an enemy really mean," he said, hinting at peace talks with Ukraine with U.S. participation.
And one of the pro-Kremlin publications came out with an article titled: "How they are going to kill us."
What the Kremlin is saying
The Kremlin, by contrast, has taken a much more diplomatic stance, the publication noted and cited spokesman Dmitri Peskov, who expressed "deep disappointment" over the situation with Iran, as well as "deep appreciation" for U.S. efforts on Ukraine. Peskov added that "above all, we are... protect our own interests."
"The message was clear: Putin will not let his feelings about Iran get in the way of achieving his goals in Ukraine," the publication stated.
What Putin will do
A professor of Russian politics at King's College London Sam Green said Putin's main weapon against Ukraine was the Trump administration's willingness and ability to pressure Ukrainians and Europeans:
"He has absolutely no reason to give up that weapon."
Whatever Putin feels personally, his actions show that he is a pragmatist, Green expressed:
"He's not going to risk his personal safety, the safety of his regime or his vision of Russia's national security to risk his life helping the Iranians, the North Koreans, the Chinese or anyone else."