Putin’s Inner Circle: An Unyielding Demand for Loyalty
President Vladimir Putin has long been known for his unwavering expectation of loyalty from those in his inner circle. A group of officials and aides who have served him faithfully during his 23 years in power make up this exclusive cadre. But loyalty is not the only trait that Putin values; analysts argue that history reveals it to be the most significant.
In a wide-ranging 2018 interview, Putin was asked if he could forgive people for their mistakes. While he acknowledged the possibility, he made it clear that betrayal was an unforgivable transgression in his eyes. For those who have worked closely with him for over two decades, this emphasis on loyalty comes as no surprise. Many members of his inner circle have been by his side since his days in the Soviet security service, the KGB, before he ascended to the presidency in 1999.
Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s press secretary and a key figure in his inner circle, stated that loyalty alone is not sufficient; professionalism and efficiency are equally important. He emphasized that Putin demands a combination of these three qualities from those in his closest circle.
Among those included in Putin’s inner circle are Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who has held his post since 2004, and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who has been in his position since 2012. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin also hold influential positions in Putin’s inner sanctum. Additionally, key figures like the heads of Russia’s state security services, the FSB and SVR, and ideological influencers such as Vladimir Solovyov and Nikolai Patrushev are part of this exclusive group. Dmitry Medvedev, a nationalist and former prime minister and president of Russia, remains close to Putin and supports Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Analysts point out that in the Kremlin, loyalty often eclipses competency. Sergei Medvedev, a Russian scholar, historian, and author, explains that Russia is not like an efficiency-oriented, competency-oriented meritocracy. It’s a very archaic and medieval system of personal loyalty, and Putin will keep anyone— even the most inefficient managers like ex-president Dmitry Medvedev— as long as they show their loyalty.
However, an excessive attachment to loyalty can create blind spots, as evidenced by the ill-fated invasion of Ukraine and the rise and fall of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s power and influence. When Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it quickly became apparent that the resistance and international support exceeded their expectations. Russia’s military leadership faced questions about their strategy and competence, leading to public criticism of Defense Minister Shoigu.
During this period, Prigozhin, a convict-turned-businessman-turned-paramilitary leader of the Wagner Group of mercenaries, challenged the defense ministry and Putin’s authority. This rebellion ultimately led to his downfall. Despite having pledged his loyalty, Prigozhin openly defied the state, prompting Putin to make a public statement about punishing treason from the inside. Prigozhin and several top Wagner commanders died in a plane crash shortly after.
Experts emphasize that figures like Prigozhin, who straddle informal alliances with Putin but challenge state institutions, will not be allowed to emerge again. The Kremlin aims to maintain strict control over military power, social influence, and political media, ensuring that loyalty remains paramount.
In authoritarian settings, loyalty serves as a crucial asset. It fosters trust and is particularly important in times of conflict. Kirill Shamiev, a Russian political scientist, notes that proving loyalty in a war setting carries significant weight for an authoritarian leader.
As Putin continues to prioritize loyalty within his inner circle, it remains to be seen how competency and other qualities will be balanced in Russia’s leadership structure. The dynamics of loyalty and allegiance hold considerable sway over the country’s political landscape.
