Quote Originally Posted by ThaiPie View Post
I watched the whole of Putin's speech yesterday. It was amazing - for his deluded obsession with "The West".

The audience gave several standing ovations, but the expressions on their faces told a different story.

At the end, the four "leaders" of the annexed territories linked hands with Putin in the middle, and raised their hands in celebration. Putin's ego nearly exploded. Sickening.
I did too and I quite liked his speech. I didn’t find anything in it to disagree with.

Interesting that you thought the audience wasn’t genuinely receptive, given that his popularity ratings are rather high. Then again, I’m sure you probably believe the western media propaganda that Putin is an authoritarian dictator that rules with an iron fist. The fact is that among Russian political circles he’s actually quite a moderate.