In 2001, Abbas Gallyanov was offered the job of writing speeches for the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The then 29-year-old recent graduate immediately accepted.
However, after a few years of working for the Kremlin, he fled Russia as his family was threatened due to his growing critical stance towards the Russian regime.
Now, Abbas Gallyanov reveals astonishing details about Putin's personality in an exclusive interview with Svenska Dagbladet.
Hated two words
Gallyanov describes Putin as a competent, rational, and logical thinker, akin to a skilled CEO. He found writing speeches for Putin relatively straightforward, with certain words like “stability” and “tradition” being essential.
However, other words, particularly “change” and “rights,” were virtually forbidden in Putin's speeches.
“Putin detested and still detests these words. Sometimes he might still use them as a way to try to deceive people,” says Abbas Gallyanov to SvD.
Gallyanov expresses surprise at how the once-respected man he knew has transformed into a cynical mass murderer.
He also dismisses the theory that Putin is driven by a desire to revive the Soviet Union, stating that the dictator doesn’t care about that. According to the former speechwriter, everything is solely about clinging to power.
Gallyanov is one of several former Kremlin employees who have publicly shared their testimonies about what is happening in Moscow's inner circle following the invasion of Ukraine. Another is Gleb Karakulov, who worked as an officer in Putin's security force FSO for 13 years.
Changed in 2009
He spoke to Swedish media earlier this year, revealing that the dictator changed in 2009, developing a sense of paranoia.
“All food is inspected and tested by a special group. Firefighters and engineers accompany him on trips to inspect all premises,” Karakulov told SVT.
According to Karakulov, the Russian leader doesn’t use the internet at all and only receives information from his inner circle, resulting in him living in an information vacuum.
Former bodyguards, like Vitalyj Berizjaty, have also come forward with testimonies about Putin. Berizjaty states that Putin's fear extends even to the bathroom, as he doesn’t even handle his own laundry, and combat divers ensure security outside the president's vacation home.
“He fears for his life that much,” Berizjaty reported in September, according to The Telegraph, referencing an interview with the independent Russian TV station TV Rain.
