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Vladimir Putin, the man declared president as long as he wishes in a recent decision in 2020 about extending or removing term limits.

However, Vladimir Putin, to read the headlines from outside Russia, has a rival, his name is Alexei Navalny.

That is part of the larger news cycle I learned from reading the Economist magazine, and I welcome the Economist magazine's Russia Guide.

The man who's going to help me understand modern Russia, Arkady Astrovsky in London, Arkady, a very good day to you.

And the headlines say that Alexei Navalny has ended his hunger strike, and yet he remains very weak.

The headlines also say that Vladimir Putin state security apparatus in some fashion is moving against the nascent Navalny political ambitions.

The headlines also say that Vladimir Putin is looking for a summit with Joe Biden, the new president of the United States.

All these things run together, so I want to begin with Navalny.

What is the measure of his political strength? Do we have a way of judging how many people follow him and how many people see his vision for the future for Russia?

Good day to you.

And very good day to you, John. Thank you for having me on your show.

It is a very important moment both for Russia and for the world, given that Russia continues to present a very considerable threat.

I have not lived through meddling in the US elections and attacking neighbors and still, obviously, a major nuclear superpower.

But let's start with Navalny, even though all those things have suggested are actually connected.

So in terms of how many people follow Navalny or no Navalny, let me put it this way.

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