Putin is, if nothing else, an ideologue, a throwback to the days of glory that was once the Soviet Union. You only have to read the news of late, the harboring of Snowden is just one example, to realize Putin is a cold war warrior, having re-assumed the role of the old Soviet guard driven only by advancement of ideological political objectives, even to the very detriment of Russia's own interests.
Can you imagine trying to coerce the former Soviet Union from supporting Cuba by offering some financial incentive, arrangement? Whoever concocted the ill-conceived notion that an arms deal, any arrangement would have Putin dropping Assad is naive beyond compare. Putin's laughter is emblematic of just such an attitude of ridicule that he would consider such an arrangement.
How stupid these Saudis demonstrate themselves to be.
BUWHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAHHAHH
Absolutely. And when ideology and economy (Gazprom) goes hand in hand, why would Putin abandon Assad? What were the Saudis thinking? Or were they?
Ideologue he isn’t.
He certainly has no abstract political philosophy.
Neither does the current Russian state.
Its all back to national interests and “Great Power” politics, complete with colonial possessions and spheres of influence. Its like being in 1880 all over again.