Vladimir Putin's approval rating at record levels

[Kolla]

Putin was and is the same person and the reason of its behavior wouldn't required at the Bill Clinton or George Bush (which are both USA presidents and as such the same kind of people) but because at the beginning Putin was a puppy and had not the possibility and the power to play the "world leader". Then day after day he put on display its true character and personality constructing its "glory".

Putin never wanted to play the role of the "world leader". That distinction is reserved for the American presidents. Putin just want to retain the Russian influence on various ex-Soviet states (such as Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan.etc). He is not interested in the area outside the former USSR, as evident from his lack of interest in the events happening right now in Cuba and Venezuela.

That is true. Unlike former Soviet/Russian leaders he's not interested in Europe and European territory. Yet many believe he is a threat....

[bryant.coleman]

That is true. Unlike former Soviet/Russian leaders he's not interested in Europe and European territory. Yet many believe he is a threat....

Putin was interested in improving the Russo-European relations (especially with France, Italy, and Germany). He made significant progress during the 2000s. The trio of Gerhard Schröder, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Silvio Berlusconi were able to withstand the American pressure, and proceed with their initiative to improve the relations with Russia. But the situation worsened, when the three were replaced by anti-Russian head of states.

[Kolla]

That is true. Unlike former Soviet/Russian leaders he's not interested in Europe and European territory. Yet many believe he is a threat....

Putin was interested in improving the Russo-European relations (especially with France, Italy, and Germany). He made significant progress during the 2000s. The trio of Gerhard Schröder, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Silvio Berlusconi were able to withstand the American pressure, and proceed with their initiative to improve the relations with Russia. But the situation worsened, when the three were replaced by anti-Russian head of states.

You mean Chirac, Sarkozy is pro-American. But Putin can have his way soon with the rise of Wilders and Le Pen.

[BADecker]

Putin was and is the same person and the reason of its behavior wouldn't required at the Bill Clinton or George Bush (which are both USA presidents and as such the same kind of people) but because at the beginning Putin was a puppy and had not the possibility and the power to play the "world leader". Then day after day he put on display its true character and personality constructing its "glory".

Putin never wanted to play the role of the "world leader". That distinction is reserved for the American presidents. Putin just want to retain the Russian influence on various ex-Soviet states (such as Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan.etc). He is not interested in the area outside the former USSR, as evident from his lack of interest in the events happening right now in Cuba and Venezuela.

Putin wants to uphold and restore Russia to a position of strength. It has always been the way of Russian Communism to take over the world, just the same as Islam, and many other national themes.

The United States is taking over the world by offering the people way more freedom in general than any other nation does. In other words, Americans are taking over the world for the United States.

[n2004al]

True. Putin will not stop himself until the day Russia will be like the URSS. If it will be possible this and if the other countries will allow this kind of behavior.

[bryant.coleman]

You mean Chirac, Sarkozy is pro-American. But Putin can have his way soon with the rise of Wilders and Le Pen.

The only pro-Russian leaders out there in the European Union at the moment are Viktor Orbán of Hungary and Alexis Tsipras of Greece. Wilders will never become the president of the Netherlands and his PVV will never become the no.1 party. He doesn't possess that sort of support. Le Pen on the other hand, is more popular, and her FN is on its way to become the no.1 party in France. That said, in the French presidential elections, a Le Pen victory seems very far away.