According to a Reuters’ article “Putin Sends Obama July 4 Message”:
“Russian President Vladimir Putin called for dialogue based on equal treatment and mutual respect with the United States on Saturday in a congratulatory message to President Barack Obama marking U.S. Independence Day.
“Putin said U.S.-Russian relations remained important for solving global crises. The two countries have disagreements over the conflict in Ukraine, defense matters and democracy.
” ‘In his message of congratulations, the Russian President noted that, despite the differences between the two countries, Russian-American relations remain the most important factor of international stability and security,’ the Kremlin said in a statement.”
Is American relations with Russia “the most important factor of international stability and security”? Doesn’t that leave China out? And what about ISIS, North Korea and Iran? Then there is the European Union.
Putin’s vision of Russia and himself far exceeds their status. Yes, Russia is an important player on the world scene. But it hardly ranks in the top five. And that is largely due to its nuclear arsenal.
