Laeserin on Nostr: You do realize that I remember when the guy leading Russia was a KGB agent in East ...

You do realize that I remember when the guy leading Russia was a KGB agent in East Germany? He is trained to engage in psychological warfare and propaganda. He rose to power by being good at that and he toppled the guy who thought he was his mentor and is now the most-powerful oligarch in an oligarchy, and just kills or disappears everyone who contradicts him.

It's safe to assume everything he says is part of some grand rhetorical strategy, rather than something he earnestly believes.

It's bizarre how some Americans think all American and European politicians are creepy liars, but Russian politicians are straight shooters who should be taken at face value. Even Russians aren't that naive.