@Viking
> Reality is that Putin was probably the best both the West and Russians could have hoped for.
What exactly is that best Russians could have hoped for? Declining economy? Shrinking population? International isolation? The war? 🤯
@Murray_N @DotardTed @SirSeanofSlovakia
@m0xee @Murray_N @DotardTed @SirSeanofSlovakia
Putin made Russia into a county where Russians didn't feel ashamed to be Russian. Yeltsin didn't do that.
The typical post Soviet ruler in the region is a drunk and a thief. Putin seems to be on a higher level than that, although not someone preaching and practicing enlightenment values.
Dealing with someone intelligent and self interested is somewhat predictable.
Although I think the war is regrettable, I expect Putin's successor to be worse.
@Viking
I am Russian and I see this not being ashamed with my own eyes. It's total propaganda bullshit — people will wake up and realize that "deterring NATO aggression" and "upholding traditional values" was a load of crap, but the fact that they have a ruined economy, African level (except for a few big cities) healthcare and dysfunctional institutions is quite real.
I agree with you though,if Russia survives his successor is probably going to be worse
@Murray_N @DotardTed @SirSeanofSlovakia
@Viking
Putin has a nice image because a lot of money is being spent on that image. Despite that he's not a nice family man — no one even knows where that family is, all we have is rumours. A thief — he's a thief alright, probably the richest man on earth.
Yelstin did have a poor image, yes, but he had free press to mock him, Putin doesn't have to, he has a propaganda machine and most critical of him have a habit of dying.
@Murray_N @DotardTed @SirSeanofSlovakia