Thanks. Interesting article but it won’t set will with the Putin Puffers because it destroys their talking points.
Putin is a “nationalist.”
You cannot be a globalist and a nationalist. They are mutually exclusive.
You can concoct almost any theory by stringing together images, statements, etc. and creating a “perception” especially over a political career that spans as many years as Putin's. For example, (common Western trash media technique) show someone shaking hands with a despised foreign leader Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam...
Putin no doubt wants Russia to have access to the markets, both to buy and sell. Russia isn't known for its vast electronic manufacturing base, for a huge automotive industry, for it's sunshine and great weather on the beech, or for the worlds best tobbacco, wine or cheeses...
FYI:
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/11/08/russia-labels-main-lgbt-group-foreign-agent-a75507
I believe, people may be getting their lines crossed, i.e. Russia has expelled many of the NGO’s that push political-economic-social agendas. They expelled USAID, Soros and many others. Many groups have been labeled and marginalized within Russia. They realize that behind these groups you have foreign business and governmental interests and when they operate in your country, you are essentially letting foreign interests manipulate public opinion and pressure you internally.
Z-puffers always have their panties in a wad.
People still don’t “get” Trump-speak.
When Trump offers an opinion on Putin or Xi or Kim or - whomever, he does it in a comparison. But he doesn’t necessarily speak all the words.
For instance, Trump noted that Putin is intelligent.
He just left off the final phrase: “compared to Biden and the progressive deep state”. Which is a hard truth.
Trump understands well that Putin is stone-cold killer. Trump also knows the U.S. security apparatus can’t be trusted.
Not just Putin but Xi as well.