I was told he is an unreasonable madman with roid rage, cancer, and nothing to lose. Why would an unreasonable person apologize for anything?
“Why would an unreasonable person apologize for anything?”
Politicians do whatever they need to do for whatever they need right now. Besides, it was an amazingly stupid thing to say, even though it supported the narrative that led Russia to invade in the first place. Chances are it was widely believed in private but when it got out in public and the world laughed, instead of doubling down the Kremlin insiders should have reexamined their beliefs. Most people lack the introspection to do that. I suspect introspection is being forced on Putin. I’d hope he’s doing his own research to see what the world is saying rather than relying on people who he trained not say things he didn’t already believe.
When I had a large department with sub departments reporting to me I told them I never wanted to hear, “Well, I knew that would happen.” If they saw a situation developing and didn’t warn me, then I’d be angry. But if they told me bad news I would never shoot the messenger. I can tell you some of them took that as license to criticize me to my face. To which my answer was, “Come to me with your suggested solutions.” But a lot of the feedback was simply venting and I’d understand why Putin wouldn’t stand for it and how it would lead to the situation he’s in now. Isolated. Lied to.