Putin: the ‘madman’ gambit?

So Putin’s denial of the legitimacy of the Ukrainian state, while terrifying to Ukrainians, is not beyond the bounds of normal Russian conversation—and it doesn’t necessarily mean that he intends to invade and conquer much or all of Ukraine.

None of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions so far qualify as 'irrevocable and plainly crazy,' though they all point, in the best Machiavellian fashion, to the likelihood that he’s mad, bad, and very, very dangerous, writes Gwynne Dyer.Photograph courtesy of the Kremlin

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

February 24, 2022

LONDON, U.K.—U.S. President Richard Nixon, in 1971: You can say, “I cannot control him.” Put it that way. U.S. National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger: Yeah. And imply that you might use nuclear weapons.

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy