A lot of Putin's argument lately center around western liberalism which Russia equates with guy support.

Behind a pay wall but otherwise a great article today in The Sunday Times about when Merkel decided Putin needs to be "contained" not appeased.

And for a German leader like Merkel that means a heck of a lot in her thinking.

It also means the SPD's Ostpolitik is totally now dead for good.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/...cle1490279.ece