That reminds me of Churchill's description of Russia as a "riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma." The rest of the quote is seldom repeated. "Perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest."
Would you say that Putin is motivated by national interest? Is that the key to understanding the man?
The press mocked Bush (endlessly) and his relationship with Putin by repeating the frat-boy nickname he used to refer to him. The fact that Pooty-Poot waited until there it was evident there was a weakling in the White House says to me he respected Bush.
My take away from a Russian history course I took in college is that Russia is a continental power with no direct access to the sea and this generates a certain degree of unease, even paranoia, regarding her neighbors.
I'm surprised it took almost 20 years for them to seize some Baltic territory.
I meant “Black Sea territory.”
....Hhowever, sometimes that's how thugs have to be dealt with. We'd do better in this country if we'd quite catering to the criminal element and stop blaming the victims of their crimes. Putins idea is you create and cause public unrest...you're done. (He had a large criminal element he had to deal with when first elected, and oeveral years to "clean house" of the Old school communists etc.)
..But I'm convinced some nations peoples have a need for a stronger arm than others. Middle Eastern countries are a good example as they know little more more than what they are told to do and believe, Democracy can never work there...the public doesn't understand it. Also... It takes time for citizens who've lived under Communist rule to adjust to what it really means to be free.......much like an abused woman has to adjust how she sees things. Some never change their mindset of “dependency”...nor can they. It's only been 15 years Russia's been recovering...Putin took out the trash, then made major reforms so the people would benifit. And positioned those who could help to make it happen.
Russians have been browbeaten for years...what Putin has accomplished is given them their national pride back.....and that's a powerful motive to continue accordingly.... Yes, Putin has his own Oligarchs, however they are controlled for the most part, though he has to watch his back...and he will deal a cruel blow if they spite him.
Russia needs the Black Sea area in order to access the Mediterranean.....otherwise they will be cut off basically from waterways and means of shipping for trade etc. Having Crimea back is very sweet in that respect. He'll turn that back into the Plush Resort area it once was.
When you look at where Russia was when Putin took office...and where it is now..it's quite remarkable. ...and one of the reasons Putin was actively sought by the International Leaders to participate in International Groups and affairs. .....He ‘showed’ what he could do..and did do for his country. Make no mistake...he cleaned house with an iron fist and spared few of the Communist system, and the Oligarch's who had stripped the wealth of Russia and it's people.
Interesting side note....The Communist's murdered his Grandmother and two of his Uncles,...and his child hood was anything but sweet...even by Russian standards of raising kids at that time......One of the first things he did when he took office was raise the elder citizens pensions....a soft spot about Putin is the elderly....I think he's tried to make things right for them for the loss of his family growing up.
I have no doubt Putin and Bush got along and communicated because they ‘respected’ each other, despite their great differences of how each saw issues of concern. I think the so called “Cowboy” in Bush was helpful. (Rough around the edges and called spades, spades.) Putin could relate to that himself. As said before..both were their own men..... Unlike Obama who cannot be more than what he is...a weak and self-centered man who came to power with nothing more than a cheerleaders mouth, and a crabby wife and ol Valerie.