While I do not think that Putin is some sort of saint, I do believe that he is sincerely trying to encourage a religious revival in Russia. That is certainly not any sort of conflict with his efforts to arrest the previously declining birthrate. (While the world may be over-populated, Russia is not.)
Putin is certainly showing far more evidence of traditional patriotism, than the present U.S. holder of an equivalent office. Or do you disagree with the last statement?
William Flax