Quantitative Corpus Analysis of Vladimir Putin’s Speeches

Abstract

Abstract This study presents a quantitative analysis of Vladimir Putin’s public speeches from 1999 to 2024, utilizing a corpus of approximately 1.75 million words sourced from the official Kremlin website. Using computational linguistic techniques, including hierarchical cluster analysis, TF*IDF keyword extraction and temporal trend analysis, the research systematically examines the evolution of Putin’s rhetorical style and thematic content. Significant stylistic and thematic shifts are identified, particularly around 2012, coinciding with his return to the presidency and a notable increase in authoritarian governance. Prominent themes such as national identity, economic policy, security, and international conflicts vary significantly in prominence and shift in emphasis in response to key historical and political milestones. The findings reveal clear correlations between Putin’s language patterns and major political or critical events, including the Chechen conflict, Putin’s political rise and return to the presidency, the annexation of Crimea, and the recent military interventions in Ukraine. These findings demonstrate Putin’s strategic rhetorical adaptability within changing geopolitical contexts.

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