Vladimir Putin

[matthew]

Can't make my mind up about this guy

Hero or Villain?

All we hear about it fixed elections and no opposition but the guy has resurrected Russia back into a super power in his time in charge.

 

[smudge]

He's just the Godfather of the world's biggest mafia. The most corrupt nasty place I've ever been.
It will also be a bloody awful place to play a World Cup.

 

[terryberry1]

A control freak. Russia is about to change. He will only last a couple of year's.

 

[supaseagull]

A control freak. Russia is about to change. He will only last a couple of year's.

Trouble is, no matter how much the west can't stand the guy, he is still much better than the alternatives of the Communist Party or the Ultra Nationalists (ie Fascists!).

Russia needs a strong and powerful leader to control the country and the reason why was proven when Yeltsin, a weak leader by Russian standards was in charge.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Can't make my mind up about this guy

Hero or Villain?

All we hear about it fixed elections and no opposition but the guy has resurrected Russia back into a super power in his time in charge.

Super Power ? Really ? They have very little money, there are huge areas of poverty, and most things are run by "organised" crime, if not corruptly by the state. I don't think there's much "super" about it any more. The Faberge eggs are nice though.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Super Power ? Really ? They have very little money, there are huge areas of poverty, and most things are run by "organised" crime, if not corruptly by the state. I don't think there's much "super" about it any more. The Faberge eggs are nice though.

Russia have a lot of Europe by the balls due to their huge gas supplies. They still have a lot of power in the natural resources stakes.

 

[ArcticBlue]

Super Power ? Really ? They have very little money, there are huge areas of poverty, and most things are run by "organised" crime, if not corruptly by the state. I don't think there's much "super" about it any more. The Faberge eggs are nice though.

Two words to you son.... Gas an Oil

 

[strings]

Two words to you son.... Gas an Oil

That is a good point about the source of Russia's success. However I can't help but suspect that the gas and oil would have been there regardless of whether Putin was running things.

 

[ArcticBlue]

That is a good point about the source of Russia's success. However I can't help but suspect that the gas and oil would have been there regardless of whether Putin was running things.

What makes Putin successful is his ability to satisfy the powerful vested interests within the Russian Energy Industry (mainly Gazprom).

 

[Flex Your Head]

From the BBC's website: the bloke's name under the video clip made me laugh.

BBC News - Russia election clearly skewed for Putin, say monitors

*bored and juvenile*

 

[Don Quixote]

It is no superpower, it never has been. Russia has potential, but it will never get anywhere with him in charge.

 

[Philzo-93]

Incredibly he has Very good intentions with the 'West'. This bloke is much better than Stalin!

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Two words to you son.... Gas an Oil

Resources don't really make you a super power, do they ? Are Saudi a "super Power" - wouldn't have thought so ?

 

[matthew]

It is no superpower, it never has been. Russia has potential, but it will never get anywhere with him in charge.

Certainly was after WW2?

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I presume we did leave them with some nuclear warheads after Glasnost ? What percentage were trashed, 90% - I have no idea, I just remember seeing them dismantled.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

From the BBC's website: the bloke's name under the video clip made me laugh.

BBC News - Russia election clearly skewed for Putin, say monitors

*bored and juvenile*

Good spot!

 

[Triggaaar]

Can't make my mind up about this guy

Hero or Villain?

Villain.

Ok, so he's not Stalin, but that's hardly the standard we should judge by. Russia would be a lot better if Medvedev were in charge, standing up to corruption and enabling Russia to be successful post natural resources.