Xant, we both know everything what happens in Russian can't be blamed by Putin, right? Still, Putin is far away from "cool". Putin is the very reason why western people are sceptical toward russians nowadays, and why there are economic sanctions. Can't say which one was the bad guy in Georgian war or who started it, anyway it happened. Those captured territories are still outside of Georgia and those were captured by no one else but russian troops. No little green men or anyone else. This military conflict happened at russian border, if wanted, Putin could have been able to stop it.
Current situation in Ukraine is another military conflict at Russian border. Regardless who was quilty this time, Russian has two (2) military conflicts in ten years at its border. And we all know that if anyone, it's Putin who could do some co-opearation with western countries this time, end Ukraine conflict within few weeks by simply closing their supply line. Yes, there might be some selfproduct in those areas but still, if Putin wanted, those pro-motherfuckers could be hunted in few weeks with co-operations. Yet, open dialogue with Putin and Russia is shining with absence.
Putin plays well with russian citizens. Poor people without job or low salary mean low standard of living. Blame western cultures and show as a cool dude who protect their motherland. Start a military conflict (or at least keep it going) and hire citizens with some better salary and there you get a nice bunch of soldiers doing dirty job. Citizens who are already living poorly, nothing to lose and with some nice "i'm riding on bearback while shooting eagles with AK" -status are ready to die for mothercountry (and sure honestly think for good purpose).
Russia really looked a potential country to develope, got rid of old commie status and show themself as a new modern country in ~2000. Russian even got accepted as a member of World Trade Organization, after almost 20 years, they finally managed to do it. And this downhill, which Russian and its citizen are facing today, is no one else's fault than Putin's. Not totally, but huge part of it. If there is a country where president has power, it's Russia.
And now Xant, I really want to see you defending Putin and his actions. I really do.