The story is more then the one dimensional “Putin did it all” posited here.
Anne Williamson wrote about it extensively in The Rape of Russia, and Putins rise can be also seen as just the exploits of an opportunist who also understood the game and moved when he saw an opening.
If not him, some other member of the Nomenklatura seeking to be at the top of the gangster heap.
Its the Russian way...they have history. To many Russians, Bad Vlad is just the latest Varangian looting and lording.
But even Bad Czar gets knocked over if he screws up, and Putin is vulnerable. The Russian populace knows what they’re missing these days because the window to the West has been open for a long time.
He can either provide that or get knocked over by another opportunist who sees an opening, like he did.
Nothing is forever, especially not in Russia.
.....”Putins rise can be also seen as just the exploits of an opportunist who also understood the game and moved when he saw an opening”.......
Sure he did,...and brought with him all those along the way who helped and wanted to see the changes Putin wanted to make.
They’re all gangster types in Russia and Ukraine, and other nations as well. We just usually bu the “we want freedom” line they get out there to rile the epople, though of course the people generally really do want that.
Did you take a look at the austerity Ukrainians are now going to be under...and of course they’re protesting against these already.
Putin however, still retains the peoples support. What he has to curb are those sent by the west who have infilitrated Russia and trying to organize groups to overthrow him. They began setting up as Ukraine fell...I followed them for a time On Twitter....interesting to see how they were going about it and who they were in contact with to fund them.