He also wants to bring his country back to the hardcore socialist model of the former Soviet Union Putin, reportedly, said that those [Russians] who don’t feel sad about the demise of the USSR have no heart — but those who would like the Soviet system to be restored, have no brain.
He - and millions of others - have a feeling of sadness over millions of Russians getting stuck in what overnight became foreign countries. And it happened in the middle of a demographic crisis. It was also no fun that Russia ended up being - in the view of the world - a third world sh*thole, a gas station with nukes, mostly rusty. Besides, they had a hard time at home - economic anarchy, crime, hyperinflations, etc.
But, OTOH, the Soviet system - hard socialism - was a nightmare. All decisions were made top down, by corrupt party bureaucrats. One could never be sure when they could decide to reinstitute Stalin’s type of an oppressive, violent despotism. No, only a person without a brain, a crazy person - would want to restore it.
Of course, his words about the sadness over the way the demise of the USSR happened - were twisted as proof of Russia's desire is to do just that.
Earlier today, I read this article, by Christopher Caldwell. Very balanced and informative, well written. Highly recommend it.
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