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Originally Posted by The Avon Lady
Putin isn't doing this just for show.
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Yes, and his run for becoming prime ministre illustrates that. In parts, it is election show. In parts it is appeasing the intel services and their lobby. But it also is by conviction - he wants Russia regaining the powerful status that the Soviet Union once had.
Since a majority of Russians support him, and also want a "leading leader", I do not see anything that could stop him. He has strong cards, especially in form of the prospering energy economy and the international customers dependencies on Russian energy ressources. He makes maximum use of this - and how could one blame him for that. We would do it too, so we shall not expect the other to act stupid and in violation of his own interests.
I do not mean to embrace and defend the man fullheartly. All I say is his actions and motivations can be understood. That's why I prefer him to many others: he is predictable on the basis of his interests and motivations. Easier to deal with somebody on that basis, then if not knowing what he is up to, and why. In the end, russia will always be beyond europe's influence and commands. So, better Putin, than something like the old intrigant polit bureau.