I would say it is the GOP attacks on Obama that has emboldened Putin. I doubt

[applegrove]

he would be trying to get back with Cuba if he hadn't gotten such an emotional payoff from it being perceived he one upped Obama in Ukraine. Putin in fact was forced to make a 'deal' with China on energy. Oligarchs have lost 14Billion due to sanctions since the start of the year. The GOP could have focussed on what Putin lost if they were good Americans. Who is with me.

[randys1]

1. Yep, Republican Party and Teaparty are officially on record of supporting KGB over USA

[Paka]

2. Spot on!

[napkinz]

3. ...

more at http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025263789

[Squinch]

4. I think you are right.

[Igel]

5. Obama's just not that important to Putin.

The GOP, even less.

The USA only matters because (a) he thinks that it helped destroy the USSR and (b) it's in the way of the return of "historical justice" to Russia and Russians.

Even the enigmatic "Russian territorial integrity" meeting that made the international news is there because he's afraid that the Western plot that has decomposed Ukraine is targeting Russia next. They've imposed stricter border controls for young Poles that want to travel to Kaliningrad, for instance because they may be trying to instigate a "Maidan" in Russia.

A plausible *and* sufficient excuse for all the Russian troops that keep going up against the Ukraine border is that Russia keeps expecting Ukraine to attack. To declare war. And for NATO to somehow side with Ukraine. Why would Ukraine attack? They're fascists, and a fascist is only a fascist if he attacks Russia. (Kill Jews? Gays? Roma? Be nationalistic and pro-Russian? Fine. Have at it. Just don't diss Russia, because if you do you're a fascist.)

It's a Western plot to destroy Russia.

Obama's just not that important. He's not even that important to a lot of Americans, and certainly not to most people outside the US.

[jwirr]

6. May not be the whole story but it is part of it.