The Provocation of Vladimir Putin

Obama to Fareed Zakaria on CNN: Putin made this decision around Crimea and Ukraine, not because of some grand strategy. This is not about reconquering Eastern Europe. It never was. And look, there's no reason to believe that Vladimir Putin is really an ideologue at all. After 20 years in power, I mean, I'm not saying he ain't ruthless. He's a strong man, as they say, essentially president for life like Roosevelt,. But I don't think that means that he had Roosevelt's ambition.