Ah DieterHH judging from your post I take it you are an FSB employee (agent). I am happy to hear you have a job in the New Russia.

Yes the Soviet Union lost the cold war and Putin should be focusing on transforming the Soviet economy to an open market one based on the rule of law. But like Mr Trump he keeps getting distracted by his ego.

Securing his military bases in the Ukraine and Syria could have easily been achieved through diplomacy vs invasion of Crimea and supporting Assad. But he underestimated Western resolve and didn't support his brand as a tough guy. Russians will suffer the most from this tactic.

Until countries like Russia are on a positive path to open, free societies based on the rule of law that respect other nations they can't be trusted.