How far will Vladimir Putin go? The writer Glukhovsky, who is critical of the Kremlin, assumes that Russia's president is hanging on to his own life. He was "always worried about his health and afraid of attacks". That's why he was "by no means crazy enough" to start a nuclear war.
The writer Dmitry Glukhovsky, who is critical of the Kremlin and living in exile, doesn't think the nuclear threats from Moscow are all that real. "I don't believe in a nuclear war, because then everything will be over." Glukhovsky assumes that Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin may not win the war against Ukraine, but he is also attached to his life. "Putin is used to always winning, always concerned about his health and afraid of assassination attempts." But he was "by no means crazy enough" to start a nuclear war. "He's not willing to die for an idea. This isn't a fanatic who dies for an idea."
In Glukhovsky's opinion, the nuclear threats serve as an attempt by the Russian elite to gain respect on the world stage - "especially from the USA". "The only goal of this ordinary corrupt regime, this autocracy without plan and ideology, is to stay in power," says the author of the book "Metro". He said goodbye to Russia for the next 15 to 20 years because there are no longer any prospects for younger people. "As long as this president is alive or longer, I can no longer go to Russia."
Glukhovsky further stated that he missed his homeland as a source for his literary work. "Like the death of a close friend or relative, it only slowly becomes clear what's missing. It's not clear how to live with it. You have to get used to it," said the 43-year-old, who after criticizing Putin's war against the Ukraine would face up to 15 years imprisonment.
Glukhovsky also spoke of a painful loss because he can no longer obtain the material for his books, which have so far mainly been about Russia, at home. "I'll write another Russia book while the memory is fresh." His current book is about the often rough life, corruption and political despotism in Russia. In a foreword, Glukhovsky once again condemned Putin's war against Ukraine as "barbaric".
Glukhovsky is expected at the Frankfurt Book Fair this Thursday. His new book "Stories from Home" will be published this Wednesday.
