Not surprised that Putin is starting to clean up his backyard, now that he FULLY UNDERSTANDS what the Neocons are trying to do to him.
What an incredible statement of yours. You are basically claiming that Russia has the right to change the government in any country that once belonged to the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union and that these nations can never decide their fate. This is quintessential imperialism.
Why are defending Russia so intensely? Russia has always had a despotic government. It has no tradition of free political institutions. How can someone who supposedly loves the concepts of limited government and the separation of powers defend Russian despotic imperialism? Why do you view everything only from the Russian perspective? Why don’t you ask Russia’s neighbors what they think about Russia?
Yep....he’s not guessing anymore nor hoping for a better outcome with the west - that became clear under the Obama admin when Putin did his Asian and ME tours making deals with all those countries - while Obama pussy footed around.