As much as I hate to say it, Obama was elected in free and fair elections. I think anyone who believes President-for-Life Putin is the same as a US President in defining his nation’s interest or as the true indicator of the national will is ignoring the reality and nature of Russia under the gangster statesman Putin.
So you reject the notion that Elizabeth I or Bismark took actions in their nations interest, because they weren’t democratically elected?
What do you make of Putins popularity among Russians?