If he truly wants to bring back the Soviet Empire, he’s going to have to reopen the Gulag because its going to require that type of terror to get there. As it is, he’s changed from a path of working with the West (like he did briefly during the Bush years) to one of undermining the West, enriching himself and his cronies, and threatening all of his neighbors. The tradeoff between his ambitions and the Russian capacity means scarcity and terror once again, even Putinistas will come to see that in due time.
“It didn’t have to be like this.”
Bet Vlad was frothing when he heard that from the prankster.
Putin has created win win situation.
By allowing the west to force him from eastern ukraine he allows them to claim a win. Meanwhile, he has the real prize, what he wanted all along...... Crimea.
The problem is that the separatists screwed up and downed an air liner instead of a military transport
It’ll all be over come October