Yesterday, Donald Trump revealed that he had an extensive telephone conversation with Putin regarding several topics, including Ukraine's much publicised successful attacks on Russia's strategic military assets, and Putin's prized bridge linking Crimea to mainland Russia. Putin threatened retaliation, of course.
We are yet to see the response, but no one will be surprised, after all, Putin does not have the same values that we have in the West. Is it because he is crazy? It appears not. However, his actions over the past two decades show he is a ruthless dictator who does not hesitate to use force to achieve his ends. He has taken complete control of Russia, and all opposition has been vanquished by fair means or foul. Journalists, politicians, and those opposing his rule have been disappeared or poisoned. His military opposition had fatal accidents. He has used his military to attack his neighbours, with great success, prior to the current Ukraine invasion. What are his objectives? Most pundits believe he wants to recreate the glorious days of the USSR. He wants Russia to have the power and respect that the USSR, achieved in its heyday. Given what we now know about the hollow carcass that regime had turned out to be, this does sound hollow. It is hard for us Westerners to understand the Russian culture and how they can tolerate Putin's brutal dictatorship. Why don't they rebel? Some insight into the Russian mind was given by Konstantin Kisin in his short but forthright presentation titled "Why Americans Don't Understand Putin".
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