At a certain point we have to understand that Putin is about the most pro-Western person left in Russia.
Appearing more sane than Putin while simultaneously being in a position to plausibly serve as Putin's successor is likely to be fatal.
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For whatever reason Putin is the most pro-West guy in the West, he remains the most pro-West guy in the West.
Off him and you get a very trigger happy replacement.
At a certain point we have to understand that Putin is about the most pro-Western person left in Russia.