© Sputnik/ Ramil Sitdikov
Dimitri Simes, National Interest: 5 Things You Need to Know about Putin's Popularity in Russia
"Even if the West succeeds in further weakening Putin economically, it may up end up strengthening his position domestically."
Since the crisis in Ukraine erupted, there has been a growing disconnect between how Russian president Vladimir Putin is perceived in the West and at home. In the former, policymakers and media commentators have been very vocal in denouncing the Russian leader's actions in Ukraine, and the opinion of the general public in those countries is similarly critical. By contrast, the reaction of Putin's domestic audience couldn't be anymore different and Putin appears quite popular. Here are five reason why this is the case:
Update: US Magazine Unveils Secret Behind Putin's Popularity in Russia -- Sputnik
WNU Editor: The author of the above post (Dimitri Simes) has been commenting on U.S. - Russian relations for decades, and he is definitely not a supporter of Putin .... but he is spot on in this analysis. Regular readers of this blog know that every month or two I put a post on Putin's popularity (or lack of), and I do my own informal and unprofessional poll among my Russian family members, friends, and associates. Bottom line .... he is still very popular ... and I am still the only critic in my entourage.