World | Russia Honeymoon Can't Last for Russia's Power Couple Is Medvedev Putin's 'mini-me'? By Kevin Spak Posted May 17, 2008 3:01 PM CDT Copied Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, and Vladimir Putin, left, attend the annual Victory Day parade at Moscow's Red Square, on Friday, May 9, 2008. (AP Photo) It may look like Vladimir Putin has kept Russia stable by sliding into the PM's chair; optimists even predict he'll share power politely with President Medvedev. But these lovebirds are actually destined to fight, writes Ivan Krastev in the Wall Street Journal: Eventually Medvedev will want to exercise power, and not as Putin’s “mini-me.” Putin's move has ensured continuity, not stability. He’s built a divided Kremlin and driven unsustainable economic growth. He also needs the West for development while he portrays it as a hostile boogeyman. Meanwhile Russians have grown steadily anti-Western, and “the change of personalities in the Kremlin is unlikely to change this consensus.” Read These Next "Admiral Piett" of the Star Wars universe died from COVID. Trump voter who supported mass deportations could be deported herself. Shooter opens fire on Texas Border Patrol Rescuer in floods gets a poignant question. Report an error