美国国家公共电台 NPR--Dissidence is dangerous in Russia. Can we measure true reaction to Putin's speech?

Dissidence is dangerous in Russia. Can we measure true reaction to Putin's speech?

Transcript¹

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Johns Hopkins professor Sergey Radchenko about how Russian President Vladimir Putin's speech will be received by Russian citizens.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

The many people listening to Russia's president included Sergey Radchenko, a professor of history at Johns Hopkins University who studies Russia and joins us today from Italy. Welcome back to the program.

SERGEY RADCHENKO: Morning to you.

INSKEEP: What did you make of Putin's speech?

RADCHENKO: Well, the speech had a part of it that was facing internally and part that was facing externally. Charles just mentioned that emphasis on the unity² of the Russian people in favor of the war, etc., etc. But he also talked about how the state will support the veterans of the conflict, how they will be reintegrated into the society. And there was also a very interesting part directed at the oligarchs, whom he sort of laughed about, that they hoped that their assets would not be confiscated³ from them and now see what happened, so they should just come back to Russia and be more patriotic⁴. And I think that part was directed at the Russian audience because that would necessarily be popular with the Russians. But the external part Charles mentioned at the end was, of course...

INSKEEP: Yeah.

RADCHENKO: ...About suspending Russia's participation⁵ in the New START treaty, which I think is a very, very serious development.

INSKEEP: Couple of things to follow up on there - when you said his remark about the oligarchs, somewhat mocking them for leaving the country, we're talking about wealthy Russians who, in fact were driven out or perhaps for their own safety have had to leave the country, right?

RADCHENKO: Well, he is talking about Russian oligarchs being sanctioned in the West. He's basically saying, well, they hope that they would not be sanctioned, and now they are losing their money. Isn't that funny how they're losing their yachts, etc.? So why don't they come back to Russia and be more patriotic? That is the kind of message that a lot of Russians will applaud.

INSKEEP: Oh, because it's populist. But let me ask about that also. When he thanks everyone for their solidarity⁶, is he describing what's really happening in Russia or asking and hoping that everyone is really behind him still?

RADCHENKO: Well, he is hoping that everyone is behind him. He did say that there was, you know, overwhelming support for the war or special military operation, as he calls it. And what's interesting as well is he did not provide an endgame. He's basically saying here, we will continue. We will continue until we fulfill⁷ our aims step by step, carefully and consistently, is what he said. But there was no endgame.

INSKEEP: Was there any response to far-right Russian nationalists who have openly criticized the war in recent months?

RADCHENKO: No, there was nothing to this effect. In fact, he completely skipped any kind of mention of potential conflict within the Russian society or within the ruling elite⁸, but nor was this expected. You know, his purpose was to project this unity, strength, etc., etc. He claimed that Russian economy is doing fabulously⁹ well and will now, you know, proceed to new heights.

INSKEEP: OK, well, he can say that, I suppose. But you mentioned something else that you said was quite serious, that Russia is suspending participation in the New START nuclear arms treaty. Do we suppose that the Russian government has lined up a list of responses on hand for various things the United States would do, and this is today's response?

RADCHENKO: I think this is probably the response. I mean, what this effectively means is the end of the nuclear arms control regime because, you know, what does it mean to suspend participation? Effectively, it means quitting the treaty, although maybe technically¹⁰ not. So that is - that opens up a potential for a new nuclear arms race. But is Russia prepared for it? That is my question. You know, of course, this is a big question for nuclear stability. But I'm worried whether Putin is shooting himself in the foot here. He usually does.

INSKEEP: He usually does shoot himself in the foot, you're saying? Well, I suppose that does raise a question because it is said that it is better for nuclear powers to be talking than not talking, that just the act of talking can lower tensions. Are they just - is this a sign of danger for that reason?

RADCHENKO: I think so. It is very important to continue this conversation forcing - you know, for strategic stability. We haven't seen much in this area in recent months because of the war. So I am worried about it. I mean, this - danger of escalation¹¹ remains¹², and I think that's something that we should all be worried about.

INSKEEP: Sergey Radchenko from Johns Hopkins University, thanks very much for your analysis once again.

RADCHENKO: Thanks for having me.

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

3 confiscated   

没收，充公( confiscate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Their land was confiscated after the war. 他们的土地在战后被没收。
• The customs officer confiscated the smuggled goods. 海关官员没收了走私品。

4 patriotic   

adj.爱国的，有爱国心的

参考例句：

• His speech was full of patriotic sentiments.他的演说充满了爱国之情。
• The old man is a patriotic overseas Chinese.这位老人是一位爱国华侨。

5 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

6 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

7 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

8 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

9 fabulously   

难以置信地，惊人地

参考例句：

• The couple are said to be fabulously wealthy. 据说这对夫妇家财万贯。
• I should say this shirt matches your trousers fabulously. 我得说这衬衫同你的裤子非常相配。

10 technically   

adv.专门地，技术上地

参考例句：

• Technically it is the most advanced equipment ever.从技术上说，这是最先进的设备。
• The tomato is technically a fruit,although it is eaten as a vegetable.严格地说，西红柿是一种水果，尽管它是当作蔬菜吃的。

11 escalation   

n.扩大，增加

参考例句：

• The threat of nuclear escalation remains. 核升级的威胁仍旧存在。 来自辞典例句
• Escalation is thus an aspect of deterrence and of crisis management. 因此逐步升级是威慑和危机处理的一个方面。 来自辞典例句

12 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。