Death of Yevgeny Primakov, a Failed Politician in the Maze of Russian Politics

Yevgeny Primakov, the former Prime Minister of Russia who had an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the U.S. attack on Iraq and NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia, passed away at the age of 85. According to the Associated Press, Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Mr. Primakov's family. A spokesperson for the Russian presidential office stated that from Mr. Putin's perspective, 'Yevgeny Primakov was a politician, an academic, and a political leader who left behind a great legacy,' and Mr. Putin always paid attention to his views on international developments. The cause of Mr. Primakov's death has not yet been announced. Yevgeny Primakov, with his calm and understated speaking style, drooping eyelids, almost expressionless face, and sly smile, was an experienced politician and academic, an expert on the Middle East. He seemed to be a completely insider figure in the maze of Russian politics. Mr. Primakov began his career by following a completely conventional and classic path during the Soviet Union. He studied Oriental studies and worked as a journalist for about a decade and a half for the Soviet Communist Party's radio and television in the Middle East, a position that could serve as the best cover for espionage activities. Gradually, he progressed through academic and expert environments and in 1989, by becoming the head of one of the parliaments of the Soviet Union, he joined the forefront of politics and played an important role in organizing and advancing the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev's era. In 1990, when the likelihood of the first U.S. attack and its allies on Iraq became serious, Mikhail Gorbachev sent Mr. Primakov to Baghdad, considering his experience in the Middle East. It is said that among foreign officials, Saddam Hussein knew him better than anyone else and trusted him. In 1991, Mr. Primakov was appointed as the head of the Soviet Union's foreign security service and held this position for five years until he became the foreign minister. As foreign minister, he was known as a staunch defender of Russia's interests while also being a pragmatic diplomat. He reached this position during years when, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia had lost much of its international weight. He struggled against the prevailing notion at that time that viewed the U.S. as the sole superpower. After the severe economic crisis in Russia in 1998, he was appointed Prime Minister. During that period, he tried to prevent NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia, which was due to the Kosovo crisis. While on his way to meet U.S. officials in Washington, upon hearing the news of the airstrike on Yugoslavia, he ordered his pilot to change course and return to Moscow. This bold move increased his popularity in Russia. Mr. Primakov was dismissed from the premiership in May 1999 while NATO's airstrikes on the former Yugoslavia were still ongoing. Many believe that Boris Yeltsin, the then President of Russia, was concerned about his increasing popularity and influence. Mr. Primakov was considered the natural successor to Boris Yeltsin during those years. However, his blunt criticisms of Mr. Yeltsin's health and performance in state-controlled media, which was then under Vladimir Putin's control, halted Mr. Primakov's move towards leadership in Russia. In 1999, with Yeltsin's resignation, Vladimir Putin was appointed as the interim president, and Mr. Primakov's chances of winning the presidential election were dashed. Despite this, Vladimir Putin continued to utilize Mr. Primakov's knowledge and experience in international affairs. He appointed Mr. Primakov as Russia's special envoy in the Iraq crisis, thus trying to prevent a second U.S. attack on that country. Mr. Primakov also played an active role in mediation talks with armed Chechen attackers who took hundreds hostage in a theater in Moscow in 2002.