[odds]

Putin is very clever, savvy & sane. He is also very much a patriot, often asserting Russia’s ‘greatness’ from his viewpoint. One can’t hold that against him - that’s his call (am very indifferent toward him, btw), but that’s a pragmatic perspective. He often gets rather emotional when Russian national anthem is played. It’s revealing in a way..

[odds]

And, Putin has & has had support from many Russians. Not because of his ex KGB backgrd, but because he is a patriot & ties what he can in the best interest of Russia.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Russia is not “great.” When Putin tell his people they are a “great” civilization, he's lying to them and setting them up for a fall, and they are about to fall hard, really hard.