Go back and reread former Putin statements that his has made over the last four months on the linked topic below---he never comes off of his messaging--it is interesting that a number of commenters here seem to take his words and do not place them against his actions and that since 2008.

Simply do a Google of the Russian term "New Russia" and then historically look at what he is both saying and doing and come back and tell me he is "honest and trustworthy to do business with"?

This move is just another nail in NATO/EU/US foreign policy since he has taken over in 2001 and especially since Georgia and Moldavia.

KGB senior field officers seldom change their stripes especially ones from Dresden.

http://www.vox.com/2014/8/28/6080589...ls-novorossiya