The Mask Has Been Lifted From Putin's Face

[kpete]

The sanctions so far are a joke –travel bans and such. More substantial ones will be on the way. Russia’s central bank is bracing for what’s coming. But these measures, even if they truly hurt, are not what will isolate Moscow. Instead, it is the mask that has been lifted from Putin’s face. He has declared himself. He has shown he’s not willing to play by the rules if he doesn’t like the rules. From now on, Putin will be the odd man out, the European leader that other leaders cannot trust. His word is worthless. No more can he flash his smile and rely on the picture to obscure his deeds. The tale that émigrés tell of a ruler who simply takes what he wants has been substantiated in Crimea.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2014/03/17/putin-exposed/

[Nuclear Unicorn]

1. "From now on, Putin will be the odd man out...His word is worthless."

I'm not worried about his words; it's his tanks.

[randr]

2. Bush recognized him as another Oil salesman

Must have seen his own reflection in those eyes.

[sufrommich]

3. Hasn't Russia always been the odd man out

in Europe? What is really frightening is how popular he is with Russians.

[snappyturtle]

4. Wow, just WOW!...the hypocrisy drips on......

read the telling comments on the article. Take heed.

[840high]

8. I just read the comments.

[n2doc]

5. So long as he has oil, and nukes, he will have to be reckoned with n/t

[quinnox]

6. Well, we certainly will find out. He is going to be around until at least 2018, when his term ends

Keep in mind you are likely to see the next President of the United States shaking hands and smiling with Putin in photos.

[leftyladyfrommo]

7. Isn't he really popular in Russia?

Shows what a huge disconnect there still is between the West and Russia.