We live in a crazy world: Contacts with Russia by a new administration are represented as possible treason, not as normal diplomacy. Administration officials with Russian associations are subject to McCarthy-like witch hunts. In Putin’s mind, a hostile West is intent on dismembering Russia. Putin charges that the West ignored its pledge not to enlarge NATO to Russia’s borders. Russia’s military actions in Crimea, Ukraine, and Georgia were undertaken only to defend Russia from Western aggression.

Source: Forbes June 06, 2017 13:07 UTC