There is a lot of nonsense and garbage floating around on the Internet about the personality of Vladimir Putin, mostly written folks who not only know nothing about him, but who don’t even understand the basics about how the Russian state works. Today, I want to share with you a video (especially translated or this purpose by the Russian Team) in which the renowned Russian economic Mikhail Khazin shares his view of Putin and of Putin’s current position vis-à-vis the hostile and russophobic West. I don’t always agree with Khazin, and even in this case I don’t fully agree with some of what he says, but I think that Khazin has really “nailed the bottom line on the head” (how is that for a combo-neologism?). Seriously, I think that Khazin is fundamentally correct, especially about the West’s refusal to accept Putin has anything else than a very junior partner (and even that was in the past, now they want him dead). Where I disagree with Khazin is when he implies that Putin wanted or even believed that such an honest partnership was possible. Medvedev – yes. But not Putin. By training and by trade he knew the West, and especially its ruling elites, extremely well and I believe that Putin pretended to play the “partnership game” for as long as possible to buy as much time as possible for his party which I refer to as the “Eurasian sovereignists” (folks like Shoigu or Rogozin), as opposed to the “Atlantic Integrationists” (folks Medvedev or Kudrin). Anyway, listen to Khazin – who is superbly informed and who knows his stuff – and get a rare insider view of what is really happening behind the Kremlin walls.
The SakerPS: one more important thing: according to the anti-Kremlin polling organization Levada-Center, Putin’s popularity is now at its historical highest level: 87%!! Those who constantly bash Putin and predict that sanctions will have a crippling effect on Russia ought to ask themselves what they (think they) know which the Russian people don’t. The real reason for Putin’s popularity is very simple: there is a very large consensus in Russia in support for the manner in which Putin has been handling the Ukrainian crisis. Furthermore, most Russian people, even those who used to be critical of Putin, see straight through the real motives of the current oligarch-financed anti-Putin campaign. However, this support is predicated on the belief that Putin will not let the Nazis overrun Novorussia. If that happens, then the sky-high support will drop extremely fast and Putin’s entire legacy will be in real danger, which is why I don’t believe that he can, or will, allow that to happen. At the risk of sounding over the top, I would say that Putin’s future is linked to the future of Novorussia. If it manages to survive (in whatever form), so will Putin. If the Ukies overrun it, then all hell will break lose in Russia. But, again, I don’t believe that this will happen.
The SakerPS: one more important thing: according to the anti-Kremlin polling organization Levada-Center, Putin’s popularity is now at its historical highest level: 87%!! Those who constantly bash Putin and predict that sanctions will have a crippling effect on Russia ought to ask themselves what they (think they) know which the Russian people don’t. The real reason for Putin’s popularity is very simple: there is a very large consensus in Russia in support for the manner in which Putin has been handling the Ukrainian crisis. Furthermore, most Russian people, even those who used to be critical of Putin, see straight through the real motives of the current oligarch-financed anti-Putin campaign. However, this support is predicated on the belief that Putin will not let the Nazis overrun Novorussia. If that happens, then the sky-high support will drop extremely fast and Putin’s entire legacy will be in real danger, which is why I don’t believe that he can, or will, allow that to happen. At the risk of sounding over the top, I would say that Putin’s future is linked to the future of Novorussia. If it manages to survive (in whatever form), so will Putin. If the Ukies overrun it, then all hell will break lose in Russia. But, again, I don’t believe that this will happen.
He had to do something right by KGB standards in order to become a High ranking officer in that organization.I never thought I would see the day when Iwould admire the Russians leaders and detest our own especially Obama.I think I truly hate that treasonous son of a bitch and I have nothing but contempt for the people who voted for him.Even the ones in my own family.
Putin is a patriot that puts his country first. Too bad the US lacks such leaders.
Why all this genuflecting to America’s enemy, the Great Satan, Vladimir Putin?
People who love America hate her enemies. It’s always been that way. King George, the British, the Indians, the Confederates, the Spanish, the Philipinos, the Krauts, the Nips, the Commies and other Reds, the Gooks, the Towelheads, and… well, now we seem to have more than ever that we need to hate, engage, and kill. I think America’s up to it – we have been in the past.
But I’m discouraged that so many who post and comment on TBP won’t support our leaders and hate who our leders tell us to hate.
Why all this genuflecting to America’s enemy, the Great Satan, Vladimir Putin?
People who love America hate her enemies -Irak
You are talking about governments enemies. We don’t elect leaders we elect representatives. Jesus never bombed anyone.
The amount of propaganda from both sides is amusing.
I see it everywhere. Pro Putin, Anti Putin, Pro ‘Merica, Anti ‘Merica. It’s all crap.
Best post today is the one from Josey Wales “Governments don’t live together, people live together”. If you really believe this you would then reject most forms of nationalism. Being pro Russian or Pro ‘Merica is a form of nationalism stoked by propaganda. If you buy into it you are a sucker either way.
Putin is X-KGB and a politician. This should tell you something about his character without having to scrape the surface too deeply. Why anyone would trust him or assume he is of better character than any other oligarch (western or elsewhere) is beyond me. You have to be a special type of person to occupy this office – most are either sociopaths or psychopaths. Which one Putin is will be determined by history of course – time will tell.
Most oligarchs in the west are of the snake like, fork tounged type. I suspect Putin’s true colours are different but equally as detrimental to the well being of his own people. But then that’s political leadership.
I wouldn’t trust him any further than I could throw Obama. The mistake we make is that we believe these “politicians” regardless of where they are – can represent the best interests of all of their constituents. They cannot. They simply represent their own in the end. This is the story of the modern nation state. Russia is a modern nation state. Putin – as its leader – will prove to be no exception. I’d put money on it.
Dear Anonymous:
You’re correct when you wrote “Jesus never bombed anyone.”
But he did scourge the money-changers and drive them from the Temple grounds.
Had the USSA [not a typo], and the West in general, done the same 100 years ago, we would not be where we are now.
Until a nation’s people have direct control over their monetary system and central bank, we shall ever be enslaved to the big international banks and their intra-linked co-ordinators such as the BIS, the IMF, so on.
In case you think not, and that I’m projecting a financial conspiracy, go to http://www.cluuz.com/Default.aspx?r=10&list=y&yahoo=y&deep=y&p=true&c=true&ph=true&e=true&a=true&d=true&dt=false&q=+intra-linked+co-ordinators+such+as+the+BIS%2C+the+IMF%2C for an overview of how the few work together to enslave the many. And these are the documents we’re allowed to see!
As I’ve written for thirty years, ‘there are no conspiracy theories, only long-term business arrangements.”
Well, bb has now been surpassed by another commenter.
IraK now takes the trophy for stupidest individual to post on TBP. Congratulations! That’s a major feat.
Econman
Irak is a caricature. He posts the neo-con viewpoint so everyone can see how stupid it is. He’s also known as Jackson.
I support Vladimir Putin.