Changes

Putin has many controversial statements on [[Communism]] and has a good attitude toward the [[Muslim]] minorities living in the Russian Federation. [[Alexander Dugin]] argues:<ref>http://www.aspeninstitute.it/aspenia-online/article/russian-conservative-view-putin-interview-alexander-dugin</ref>

Putin has many controversial statements on [[Communism]] and has a good attitude toward the [[Muslim]] minorities living in the Russian Federation. [[Alexander Dugin]] argues:<ref>http://www.aspeninstitute.it/aspenia-online/article/russian-conservative-view-putin-interview-alexander-dugin</ref>

{{Cquote|If we consider the situation in Russia more closely, we will discover that almost all that is said in the West about Putin is wrong. It is a complete caricature. The most important criticism of Putin inside Russia is not from the liberals. Liberals represent the smallest part of the critics. They are absolutely marginal… So the West is absolutely wrong in thinking that there is this big liberal opposition to Putin that is artificially kept down. The real opposition to Putin is growing completely on the other side of Russian society. It is growing discontent with "lunar" Putin, against the Putin who is surrounded by liberals. All the government is completely not only corrupt, it consists of pro-Western liberals. Nothing has changed after the last election.}}

{{Cquote|If we consider the situation in Russia more closely, we will discover that almost all that is said in the West about Putin is wrong. It is a complete caricature. The most important criticism of Putin inside Russia is not from the liberals. Liberals represent the smallest part of the critics. They are absolutely marginal… So the West is absolutely wrong in thinking that there is this big liberal opposition to Putin that is artificially kept down. The real opposition to Putin is growing completely on the other side of Russian society. It is growing discontent with "lunar" Putin, against the Putin who is surrounded by liberals. All the government is completely not only corrupt, it consists of pro-Western liberals. Nothing has changed after the last election.}}

While not generally recognized as an outstanding public speaker before crowds, Putin is known for heart-to-heart talks somewhat akin to U.S. President [[Franklin Roosevelt]]'s fireside chats on a wide range of topics and issues of interest and concern to the Russian people his using the [[television]] format.

While not generally recognized as an outstanding public speaker before crowds, Putin is known for heart-to-heart talks, somewhat akin to U.S. President [[Franklin Roosevelt]]'s fireside chats, on a wide range of topics and issues of interest and concern to the Russian people his using the [[television]] format.

[[Forbes]] ranked Putin as the most powerful man in the world as of December 2016, while Obama was ranked #48. Putin gains popularity every time he challenges the U.S. or Europe, or sends troops into a former Soviet Republic.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/datablog/2015/jul/23/vladimir-putins-approval-rating-at-record-levels</ref>  

[[Forbes]] ranked Putin as the most powerful man in the world as of December 2016, while Obama was ranked #48. Putin gains popularity every time he challenges the U.S. or Europe, or sends troops into a former Soviet Republic.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/datablog/2015/jul/23/vladimir-putins-approval-rating-at-record-levels</ref>