War brought Vladimir Putin to power in 1999. Now, it must bring him down | Jonathan Littell

Putin believed he could invade Ukraine because everything we failed to do over the last 22 years taught him that we are weak

Twenty-two years ago, a vicious war brought Vladimir Putin to power. Ever since, war has remained one of his main tools, which he has used without flinching throughout his reign. Vladimir Putin exists thanks to war, has thrived through war. Let us now hope that a war will finally bring him down.

In August 1999, a then-unknown Vladimir Putin was named prime minister when his predecessor refused to condone a full reinvasion of Chechnya. Putin, however, was ready, and in return for their unconditional support he granted the military a free rein, allowing them to avenge their humiliating 1996 defeat in blood and fire. On the night of 31 December, an ageing and broken Boris Yeltsin stepped down, handing the presidency like a gift to the newcomer. In March 2000, after famously promising to grease the terrorists even in the outhouse", Putin was triumphally elected president. With the exception of his four years as prime minister (2008-2012), he has ruled Russia ever since.