[henkster]

No, I don’t trust Putin at all and he is most definitely NOT our friend. However, I do respect him on one sense. He is keenly aware of the national interests of his country and seeks to promote them at every opportunity.

And I cannot say that about our president.

[Jeff Head]

If you believe that Putin is seriously promoting the intersts of his country...meaning the people of Russia and their long-term good, their liberty, their ability to make decisions and independent lifes for themselves...then you are sadly, and seriously mistaken.

Putin is indeed a firm and resolute leader, but make no mistake, he is an abject power-monger and tyrant-wanna-be. That, and his own indulgences are his interests.