Quote:
Originally Posted by Dondilion
My thinking:
Dmitry was too western in his outlook, too western trusting.
Putin is still embittered that the west took advantage of Gorbachev and Yeltsin.
Vlad believe that the west ultimate aim is to balkanize Russia. To assist in countering that he is re-introducing religion as a unifying force. Not just any religion, but religion which is tied to Russian history and culture.
The latest is the erection, near the Kremlin, of the huge statue of Prince Vladimir with his cross and sword. 
Note also the building of new Orthodox churhes (200 in Moscow), prominence of Patriach Kirill and the officialdom given to Easter celebration. |
Agree that he (rightly) believes that the West's intention is the piecemeal dismantling of the RF. I don't know that Medvedev is too trusting of the West, just that he is more willing to engage is directly in much the same way as Lavrov who, apparently does so with Putin's approval.
As for religion, Putin was something of a phenomenon on the KGB and FSB for his open religiosity. Though he is using the Russian Orthodox Church as a unifying and nationalist force, an arm of the state as in Tsarist times, I think his faith is genuine. Kirill, I think, wants a place as a global moral force along the lines of Pope Frank but I doubt he'll succeed.