Decoding the Kremlin: Jason Corcoran’s Perspectives from 20 Years of Covering Russia
As Europe looks to navigate an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape, investors and entrepreneurs must be attuned to the broader forces shaping the future of business, technology, and security. The ongoing war in Ukraine, shifting global alliances, and the question of European strategic autonomy weigh heavily on the minds of leaders across industries. At the upcoming exclusive Tech Tour Growth50 Europe summit, happening in Paris on March 4, we bring together some of the brightest minds in tech, investment, and policy that foster growth and resilience in a rapidly evolving world.
In the lead-up to the event, we spoke with Jason Corcoran, a seasoned journalist with two decades of experience covering Russia, to gain an insider’s perspective on one of the most pressing geopolitical challenges of our time. Read on for a glimpse into his upcoming Keynote session at the summit.
TT: In your keen perspective on today’s Russia, what makes Russians and Putin ‘tick’? Understanding mindset and culture is crucial to anticipating next moves. Share with us some insights from your wealth of experience.
JC: At the core of the Russian mindset is a deep-rooted sense of destiny, resilience, and downright suspicion of the West. Centuries of invasion — from the Mongols to Napoleon to Hitler — have ingrained a belief that Russia must always be strong, self-sufficient, and ready to defend itself. This has fostered a culture that values endurance over comfort, centralised authority over disorder, and raw power over compromise. Weakness — whether in leadership or on the battlefield — is seen not just as a liability but as an invitation for conquest.
Yet, for all their suspicion of the West, Russians are irresistibly drawn to us. They sneer at Western decadence but covet its luxuries, from holidaying in St. Tropez to shopping in Paris and mingling with high society and minor royalty in London. Russian oligarchs used to stash their wealth in Western banks, send their children to Western schools, and buy up real estate in capitals they publicly deride. It’s a contradiction Putin exploits — fuelling nationalist fervour at home while his inner circle enjoys the very privileges they claim to despise.
This duality is key to understanding Russia’s behaviour. They respect power, not moral lectures about their behaviour. They admire the West’s wealth yet resent its influence. And above all, they believe in a world where might makes right. Any European response to Russian aggression must recognize this paradox: Russia will only take the West seriously when it stops being an indulgent playground and starts building an unshakable fortress.
Putin embodies this worldview. Shaped by his KGB past and the chaos of the Soviet collapse, he sees geopolitics as a brutal zero-sum game where only the strongest survive. To him, the West is not a partner but a predator, always seeking to undermine and humiliate Russia. His strategy is rooted in deception, patience, and opportunism — testing limits, pushing where there is weakness, and pulling back only when met with overwhelming resistance. Negotiation is not about compromise but about buying time, extracting concessions, and waiting for the right moment to strike again.
For Russia, war and diplomacy are two sides of the same coin. Historical grudges, imperial nostalgia, and a siege mentality fuel a national narrative that justifies its mad-capped expansionism. The West often misreads this, expecting rational calculations where emotion, honour, and survival instincts dominate. To anticipate Putin’s next moves, one must understand his fundamental belief: Russia does not play by the rules — it rips them up and rewrites them.
TT: What does Putin see when he looks at Europe? Russian state propaganda claims that Europe is too fat, too wealthy, too woke, to defend itself. How accurate is this perception, and what are the implications for Europe’s security?
JC: Russia’s raving TV propagandists portray Europe as decadent and bacchanalian — too soft, wealthy, and distracted by social issues to bother fighting. While exaggerated, there is a kernel of truth. Decades of peace and U.S. protection have led to underfunded militaries, complacency, and a belief that our suave multilingual diplomats alone can deter threats. Only after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine did many European nations begin reversing years of defense cuts, but the image of weakness persists.
This narrative serves Putin’s goals. It fuels Russian nationalism, convinces his people that old rickety Europe is in decline, and deters Europe from taking a harder line. Worse, it emboldens Russian aggression — if Europe is seen as unwilling or unable to fight, Moscow is more likely to test its limits, whether in Ukraine, Moldova or Estonia.
Russia’s national idea is war. Since the fall of communism, they have been in a state of war or getting ready for war — whether in Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, or Ukraine. War is not just a means to an end; it is central to Russia’s identity and how it asserts power. If Europe does not project strength — militarily, economically, and politically — it risks turning Putin’s propaganda into reality. The more Europe hesitates, the more emboldened Russia becomes. The only way to counter this is through unity, rearmament, and a clear demonstration that Europe is no longer a passive actor but a force capable of defending itself.
TT: Can a unified European military be the answer? If America’s commitment to defending Europe is no longer guaranteed, what are your thoughts on the way forward?
JC: The solution is clear: Europe must rearm, unify, and prove it can stand without America’s shield. Matching strength with strength is the only language Putin understands. A well-armed, resolute Europe would not only silence Kremlin mockery but also restore deterrence, ensuring that Russian expansionism ends in failure, not success.
Decades of relying on NATO’s U.S.-led backbone have left Europe vulnerable — without common command structures, coordinated defense spending, or rapid deployment forces, capable of deterring threats like Russia. A European army, properly funded and equipped, would ensure the continent can stand on its own, whether Washington stays engaged or not.
Europe can no longer afford fragmentation and half-measures — deterrence only works when backed by real military power. My own country Ireland, one of Europe’s wealthiest nations per GDP, is the weakest link. With a pitiful defense budget of just 0.25%, it remains almost entirely reliant on the UK to patrol our skies and seas. This is not just embarrassing — it’s dangerous in an era of cyber warfare, undersea cable threats, and growing geopolitical instability.
The key is scale, speed, and strength. Europe must consolidate its defense industries, secure its energy supply, increase military budgets to at least 3% of GDP, and create a centralised command structure for joint operations. A pan-European rapid reaction force, backed by nuclear deterrence from France, would send a clear message to Moscow: aggression will be met with force. That’s the only language the Kremlin understands.
As Corcoran so powerfully articulates, Europe’s ability to project strength — politically, economically, and militarily — will define its future on the global stage. Understanding these macro forces is essential to navigate risk and seize new opportunities. Jason will share more of his insights at the upcoming Tech Tour Growth50 Europe summit. This year the forum is more than just a gathering of top minds to celebrate Europe’s thriving entrepreneurial spirit — it is a forum to discuss and shape the future of European business at a particularly transformative time.
Join us on March 4, 2025, in Paris as we connect with visionary leaders, celebrate Europe’s rising unicorns, and explore the strategies that will drive sustainable growth in digital, health, and sustainability. Secure your place today and be part of the conversation that will define Europe’s next chapter.
Stay in-the-know with the latest news on our close-knit community, by signing up for our newsletter below.