Why did Vladimir Putin postpone his speech until Wednesday morning?

On Tuesday night, the Kremlin set an appointment for its people and the world for a televised speech by Vladimir Putin. This speech was highly anticipated after the separatist republics of Donbass and the authorities of the Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine announced their desire to organize, starting Friday, referendums aimed at joining Russia. Scheduled for 8:00 p.m. in Moscow -7:00 p.m. in Paris-, the speech was finally recorded in the afternoon to be broadcast this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. according to the Russian capital time (8:00 a.m. in France).

The announcement of this postponement, which fell at the edge of 10:30 p.m., surprised observers, especially since it was not accompanied by any explanation. However, this Wednesday morning it seems that this delay is due to very practical considerations: to ensure that the Russians can all be in front of their television at this moment T.

nine time zones

Thus, according to first elements, relatives of the Kremlin, political scientists and even journalists estimated that Vladimir Putin decided to make a broadcast this Wednesday morning because he wanted to make sure that all Russians were awake. However, nine time zones cover the huge Russian Federation.

Thus, at 10:30 p.m. in Moscow, it was 5:30 a.m. in Vladivostok, in the far east of the country. forbes russiaRelying on the confidences of two insiders in the Kremlin, he argued that the speech should wait until “the Far East wakes up.”

It must be said that, given the content of his statement, Vladimir Putin should not only arouse the attention of his public opinion but also his support. Because it is less the question of the organization of four referendums in eastern Ukraine that remains after his declaration than his proclamation of a “partial mobilization”.

Up to 300,000 reservists mobilized

Indeed, as a sign of the escalation of the conflict -and without a doubt of the difficulties of the Russian troops in finding new blood-, the Head of State launched: “It is necessary to support the decision and the proposal launched by the Ministry of Defense, to establish a partial mobilization. Only citizens who are on the reserve lists will be mobilized.

And the change in this hiring policy is immediate. “The departure date of this mobilization is today, September 21,” said Vladimir Poutin, promising: “The recruits will have the same advantages and privileges as the contracted soldiers.”

Reinforcement is important. According to the figure advanced this Wednesday morning by the Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, in a television interview, it is “300,000 reservists” who will be summoned. This would bring the contingent of invaders to 2.3 million troops deployed in Ukraine. For many Russians, waking up probably sounded like a nightmare.