[w-subcommander]

Originally Posted by CCIP

I wouldn't worry about Zhirinovsky (see other thread) He's never had that much of a chance, really...

And from yet another thread a couple of years back, the sad fact: these days, the future of Russia is really either a pragmatic, highly-centralized Putin-like regime or the extreme right. I really don't see why the West would prefer the latter.

Putin has not been difficult to deal with, contrary to popular belief. It's just a perception after Yeltsin and Gorbachev who were willing to concede anything and everything, whereas Putin won't take anything that doesn't serve his [regime's, country's] interest.
Sure it'd be awfully convenient, but I'm afraid you can't have a large economic and military power that will smile and say "yes" every time you step on their toes.

Agreed!!! 100/100