I know people in Russia. They hope for a day when their liberty and freedom to express themselves, to enjoy the fruits of their own labors, to make the decisions that will enable them and their children to hope for a better life and progress in their communities and nation comes close to anything we currently enjoy here in the United States...even with the mess Obama and the progressive left and RINOS are making of things.
Right now, our direction vector is, sadly, pointed in their direction.
My point is that those things are not Putin's chief concern. His chief concerns are doing whatever he feels is necessary to maitain his power base first and foremost. And his background makes it abundantly clear that he is willing to go to almost any lengths to secure that interest.
I do not and never have contended that Putin is a saint or “good guy” to his people.
My point is that Putin does not sell out the international interests of Russia when he deals with other countries. He does not bow to foreign leaders. He does not gut his military. He does not empower regimes hostile to Russia.
I cannot say the same about Barack Hussein 0bama, who is little different than Putin in his vision for domestic politics, but vastly different in his vision of the international standing of his country.