Twenty Years of Putin Playing the West in 3 Minutes | NYT Opinion

Vladimir Putin, especially these days, is widely reviled. To some he’s a war criminal, to others he’s a dictator, and to many he’s simply a very bad man.
But it wasn’t always this way.
We trawled through video footage from 20 years of international summits, speeches and news conferences and discovered a man who once basked in high regard: the one who went fishing and dancing with George W. Bush, who fell into warm embraces with Tony Blair and whose jokes had NATO’s leaders rolling on the floor with laughter.
As the Opinion Video above starkly reveals, Western leaders once considered Vladimir Putin not just an ally, but also, apparently, a friend.
Even if they were simply giving him the benefit of the doubt for political purposes, they were taking a naïve gamble of historic proportions: Be nice to Putin, and maybe he would be nice back.
It’s true that this brand of personal diplomacy scored some significant security victories. Arms control treaties were signed, and Putin allowed U.S. jets to strike the Taliban from bases in Russia’s satellite states.
But as Russian tanks rolled into Georgia in August 2008, Bush learned that his eight-year friendship with the Russian leader had earned him zero leverage over Putin’s territorial ambitions.
While it’s debatable whether Western governments could have foreseen the bloody horizon of Putin’s vision, let’s now be clear about one thing: Personal diplomacy doesn’t work when you need it most.
Subscribe: bit.ly/U8Ys7n
More from The New York Times Video: nytimes.com/video
----------
Whether it's reporting on conflicts abroad and political divisions at home, or covering the latest style trends and scientific developments, New York Times video journalists provide a revealing and unforgettable view of the world. It's all the news that's fit to watch.

[@anonjan82]

As far as I can see he was totally honest and clear. Problem was that nobody took him serious.

[@DirtyLunchLady]

Dishonest NYT video doesn’t show that part

[@ch-co]

Current video just shown that Putin is dissembler

[@b3at2]

He is the enemy... no worship. And those who worship him should be sent to the gallows.

[@user-bi5jc7mx9m]

@@b3at2 same for every USA president in last 30 years.. except Tramp ofcourse)

[@cyberwarrior8382]

This is what he makes really good, he makes you belive he is honest. People in Russia trusted him, even when 'Kursk', Beslan,terrorists "explosions" to provoke invading Chechnya happened. And even today, some old people in Russia trust him after invading Ukraine.

[@natedeichard1261]

Now do 100 years of the US playing with the World in 30 hours.

[@bluedog2367]

Talk about a horror film….

[@user-hz1oy6ni6kpaparovits]

Ha ha

[@christosnikiforos4103]

Well said

[@DrMrPersonGuy]

Always the russian whataboutism

[@chloetaylor2713]

@@DrMrPersonGuy And what!? You think Russia is always the bad guy and the US is always the good guy!? What ever happened to freedom of speech!? What ever happened to non biased news!? What ever happened to journalism that isn't one-sided and always neutral news reports!? And you think you guys can always get away with all of your wrong doings!?

[@kamrad_ichu]

Putin: "I am not friend, foe, bride or groom for West. I am President of Russia".

[@mh-em2mp]

he is the devil

[@alexanderkuznetsov4190]

For people confused with the “soviet” joke - its a wordplay. “Soviet” means “council” in russian.

[@egorsurimov5996]

not really

[@teggyegg]

.

[@mishkalisten]

@@egorsurimov5996no, it does, I am Russian, I can tell you, Soviet means a council

[@egorsurimov5996]

@@mishkalisten а я не русский что ли?

[@rahulvats95]

​@@mishkalistenSoviet Union basically means Council Union? 😂😂😅

[@heristyono4755]

"He's not going into Ukraine" Well, technically, it's true, he's still in Moscow

[@valdasdr8432]

"While I am the president"

[@kingsmercyglobalchurch5382]

I can't stop laughing by your comment. You must be a lawyer

[@Cleeon]

Yeaahhh, that's right

[@baloz8974]

@@Just_another_Euro_dude I didn't died in Germany during the collapse of soviet union when he was left alone surrounded with nazis how can he die now?

[@thorax9997]

yer that was fact checked saying no puttin is in Moscow LOL those classic george soros fascist fact checkers the left so heavily relies on

[@sonsoeg]

He has not played the west, he has always been clear on what he wants

[@SnakeEngine]

@@DJSHaKa This is wrong translation. And I'm shocked everyone just ran with it, like they wanted to. He said "The Council of Advice". "Sowet" is "Advice" in Russian.

[@Rexxsar]

@@SnakeEngine yes this is true, Putin likes to use word game alot) this is not the single case he did it)) But you have to understand Russian language to understand his jokes and the most politicians don't posses humor at all

[@SnakeEngine]

@@Rexxsar But it is the western media that used the word game on him and just ran with it, not him! He clearly said "The Council of Advice" , as clear in Russian as it can get.

[@Rexxsar]

@@SnakeEngine no doubt about that. But do you speak Russian? And understand it? Not understand like in school to be able to translate it literally , but understand it like really understand, understand slang and street talk? I tell you Putin used that word in purpose, and in cool way, because he has good sense of humour and becase he himself is cool chap)

[@SnakeEngine]

@@Rexxsar Yes, I also speak Russian natively. He clearly said "The Council of Advice". I doubt that he counted on the wrong translatin in advance. "word-play" jokes are more a thing for the German and British.

[@Moribus_Artibus]

It's adorable how the NY Times makes it seem like they weren't played in all these years as well.

[@pm8401]

pootin is a cornered mouse

[@ziepex7009]

@@pm8401 Sure buddy

[@jr.fidelcastro8890]

Never try hide and seek with an ex veteran KGB-soldier.

[@dominuseterro9866]

Until KGB have to hide

[@aaaaaa-hh8cq]

I mean, Putin is now the ones hiding and screaming. he couldn't even defeat a small country like Ukraine 😂

[@ZestyFireTF2]

​@aaaaaa-hh8cq Russia recently took Avdiivka and many important locations in Ukraine, wdym he Can't win against them?

[@science_engineering]

​@aaaaaa-hh8cq small country? Before recently, Ukraine had a population of 40 million people, and was supported by the whole NATO: intelligence data, Military equipment, tanks , anti air defense system, money. Ukraine's army at least is one of the strongest in EU.

[@PlumbuM871]

You guys live in a parallel reality. Ukraine has already been defeated. Your awakening will be painful

[@benaldinhomasaba]

Putin: “I suggest from now on, the head quarters of Nato should be renamed The Council of Soviets” really hits hard.

[@s5r581]

Nope because he still pro communist. You don't even know! what Different between democrats and communist. I don't know how many dumb people in this world. The country that had communist party is murder million of people and not letting people Escape their country. Democrats is not perfect but we never murder people for protest and keep our people in.

[@MrBizon91]

Sovet means council or advice, thats the thing that it means the same.

[@thatguy4360]

No it doesn't lol Literally just means 1. an elected local, district, or national council in the former Soviet Union. Or 2. A citizen of the former Soviet Union. Same thing as ur saying just. With the added description lol :P

[@MrBizon91]

@@thatguy4360 first you say that it doesnt, last you say its the same, i dont get it :D Also word "sovet" does not have to be close to soviet union meaning...

[@thatguy4360]

@@MrBizon91 I'm saying u r both correct and incorrect

[@josephhebert1785]

You can't claim that he was playing the West if the West was trying to play him at the same time problem is we couldn't keep our story straight because we kept electing people who disagreed with each other so we feel like he was getting over on us the whole time

[@jokerjokerovic9339]

Yeah,because for west it's good to have control of Russia like with their leaders before Putin,so Putin is gamechanger.

[@GabrielRGomes]

Putin rose to power knowing that the west wanted. He knew what they did to Yeltsin

[@robertocalderon1584]

Right...no continuity of foreign policy. It's a stupid system. The problem is that Old money controls the Right...and New money controls the left...these two forces are the true faces of our elected officials 98% of the time. Each side gets in and does everything it can to weaken the outgoing factions inroads. It's all about money, just the interests of each side are diverse. That's our government. It's 100% corporate controlled. It NEVER says what it means or means what it says. Not even trump kept his promises...just ask the cattle ranchers on the southern border, or the still impoverished coal miners of West Virginia.

[@englishman9020]

We're they playing each other

[@Rebelloraptor]

That's not what happened.

[@y40ll]

NATO played Russia by bringing NATO to Russia's border.

[@SumitGaming-]

Still Europe scared

[@piyushsharan406]

Your sweet Ukraine is fighting a lost war.

[@eight8muzik]

Just because he didn't bow to any demand you don't like him. That's the whole reason. He doesn't play by your rules because you're hipocrites.

[@concernedcitizen5317]

*hypocrites 🦛

[@miguelpoky2]

The Soviet joke was wild 😅 especially when the person asks if it was a joke and then he just smiles.

[@alexfriedman2152]

lol that wasn't a joke. He would've loved to rename it the soviet council if he could. He wants the Soviet union back

[@Elver_Galarga816]

​@alexfriedman2152 if the Soviet Union is back I don't think the Russian Communist party would like for Putin and the oligarchs to have a seat

[@luanmateus4505]

​@@alexfriedman2152More like he wants Russian empire back. He wants nothing like comunism again he just wants to look like the Soviet union and reigh like a Czar.

[@user-wk9xv2jf7z]

​@@alexfriedman2152 Nah man, Putin was one of the actors that made possible the destruction of the Soviet Union. Putin just respect the past and the main actors that made possible the revolution. Most of you, Americans, know nothing bout history... The ideal of the contemporary russian government should be described as "the new Russian empire", far away from the lefts

[@bjs8397]

He didn’t ask if it was a joke, he said “I declare that to be a joke”

[@Lmao_ded]

When people laughed off Putin's idea of calling the NATO headquarters the council of soviets that's when Putin took things personally

[@billykhayaSA]

That's when he realised he cant trust them.. Putin..wow ❤❤❤❤

[@sakurakou2009]

@@billykhayaSA the way he never smile now, it make me wonder what made him loss his smile

[@belaprela2485]

@@sakurakou2009 He does smile wtf bro

[@sakurakou2009]

@@belaprela2485 he doesnt , his smile seem so forced and creepy

[@belaprela2485]

@@sakurakou2009 I don't think so

[@masterdarkdeath]

West really thought the Russian bear had became a puppy, nahhhh!

[@HFDLI]

When you sit on the same chair for more than 20 years, you know how the game played.

[@manson.oldboy]

Also you are named "dictator" by the USA and EU if you do so

[@ChrisPeck-niganma]

“History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.” --Mark Twain

[@michaelweston409]

History will repeat itself soon.

[@archingelus]

And that's why mark twain is the greatest humorist in the world

[@tompaulcampbell]

@@michaelweston409 How so? Depression?

[@ChandranPrema123]

Well people are still keeping Biden in power that itslef is making people in America become History. And about 51% of Biden and Musk Followers are like Bots. Well American people have been injected with USSR hate that they are jealous of A president who care about people

[@michaelweston409]

@@tompaulcampbell World War III, a great depression, world wide shortage of all resources & necessities. Not even going onto upcoming catocylsmic climate change events & a resurging Covid crisis.

[@Frederick.J.Marshall]

‘I looked the man (Putin) in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul; a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country." - George W. Bush on Putin, 2007

[@WalterBurton]

No. It was 2001. In Slovenia.

[@WalterBurton]

@John Jones : No. 20+ years.

[@WalterBurton]

@John Jones ; Yeah whatever, except it happened in 2001, not 2007, son. 🙄

[@dutchdna]

The only USA POTUS that got it right was Biden who called him a ruthless killer and thug. And then of course there's the "genius POTUS" that called Putin a genius.

[@AirQuotes]

Bush could be tricked by a bush

[@NightOwl222]

West loved him while they expected him to hand over Russia. Once he showed he is not going to, he became a 'dictator', etc, etc.

[@reverie4632]

I'm very happy you kept comments on.

[@Meghnaaad]

Bush: I can see through your soul. Putin: laughing hysterically.

[@Ribulose15diphosphat]

Putin at least has one.

[@RedValleyMilsim]

@@Ribulose15diphosphat ordering all innocent civilians to be killed isnt very humanitarian or representing of any soul

[@seanoreilly40]

A few years later "He launched a holy unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq...I mean Ukraine" Goerge Bush

[@Meghnaaad]

@@Ribulose15diphosphat I don't think he has a soul.

[@user-rr4md8ft5p]

@@RedValleyMilsim Откуда информация и где доказательства?

[@dakedakinson64]

Anyone remember when Obama installed missile systems in Poland saying to Putin they are there to protect Europe from Iran? When he ordered destruction of Libya under excuse of "no fly zone"?

[@L_U-K_E]

True

[@tatyanamorgoeva8806]

He also got a Nobel Prize of Peace. For that probably.

[@shhinobii]

@@tatyanamorgoeva8806 Level cap of hypocrisy

[@teddybearroosevelt1847]

Yeah it’s one of the things he did. He wasn’t such a great president…

[@deraid712]

But Iran attacks Israel and is a real threat of an Europe and what should Obama say? "We are putting rockets in Poland so Rossia will not attack Europe"?

[@LukaBEET]

More like the west playing Putin and he had enough.

[@mickmouse4650]

Putin is a great leader

[@mikesaundersnyc5200]

Mr Putin himself told the BBC back in 2000 that "Russia is ready to co-operate with Nato... right up to joining the alliance. I cannot imagine my country isolated from Europe," he added.

[@double_latte]

Exactly 💯

[@ceremony777]

Mind games?

[@TheTeodorsoldierabvb]

@@ceremony777 I don't believe so. Could be wrong but there was a time when Putin wanted relations, and he wanted an alliance. But he saw what the west really is like and backed off.

[@adm_Pelmenev]

После развала СССР, у нас была везде разруха, а также у нас была проиграна холодная война с США, потому было логично вступить в нато, да и идея, что ты можешь проехаться от парижа до сибири звучит круто. Но, к сожалению или к счастью, нас не приняли в нато. Если честно, раньше я думал:"какой же путин плохой, вор и т.д.", но недавно я понял, что путин хоть и имеет за собой грешки, но сделал титаническую работу, сделав из руин сильное и вполне самостоятельное государство

[@user-jf3uf2ur4e]

​@@adm_Pelmenevпосмотри на остальные пост-советские страны, везде тоже самое. Без путина даже лучше было бы😂

[@ronymooney6175]

"Our mistake was that we trusted you too much. And your mistake was that you tried to take advantage of that." - Putin.

[@rithvik119am6]

Well it is true

[@danielwhyatt3278]

Wow, it’s really crazy how flipped it all is. Everything the rest of the civilised world knows, Putin and his regime think the opposite.

[@ElectroIsMyReligion]

It goes both ways - don't act like Russia is a force of world peace lol. - You're seriously childishly naïve and sadly immensely misinformed if you really think that world politics is as simple as that.. it’s way more complicated than your simplistic “good vs evil” argument. The world isn’t black and white as you’d like to portray it. I think you should do some more research..

[@ov7419]

@@ElectroIsMyReligion nope, it doesn't

[@collinnazareth160]

@@ElectroIsMyReligion nope it doesnt. Away with you leftie

[@linkmeforfun]

It is the West that tried to play Putin in a geopolitical chess game. But, Putin being the master of chess, the West has been outplayed.

[@agagqbq]

please explain how the west has been played when putin's russia is failing to achieve superiority against a country 1/3 its size while adding 2 new enemies on russia's border

[@linkmeforfun]

@@agagqbqAnyway, I wonder why I should labor to explain to you something that should be obvious to a kindergarten kid. But, first of all, know that NATO (a gang of 32 timid countries) was formed, exists, and continues to expand just to confront one country called RUSSIA. Second, the money, strategy, intelligence, and weapons used to fight Russia are provided by NATO + G7 + a dozen other countries. Third, fourth, fifth, etc.... I don't need to go further because I know that you are not ignorant but just pretending to be. If you were indeed such ignorant, I would curse your gods for bringing you into this earth a million years late.

[@linkmeforfun]

@@agagqbqAnyway, I wonder why I should labor to explain to you something that should be obvious to a kindergarten kid. But, first of all, know that NATO (a gang of 32 timid countries) was formed, exists, and continues to expand just to confront one country called RUSSIA. Second, the money, strategy, intelligence, and weapons used to fight Russia are provided by NATO + G7 + a dozen other countries. Third, fourth, fifth, etc.... I don't need to go further because I know that you are not ignorant but just pretending to be. If you were indeed such ignorant, I would curse your gods for bringing you into this earth a million years late.

[@PlumbuM871]

@@agagqbq How can I explain something to you if you are so stupid? NATO lost a two-year war, but you don't see it

[@derikpham3368]

@@agagqbq 1. If you actually watched day by day analysis of the war, it's very obvious that Russia doesn't want the West to legitimize their presence in Ukraine. However the West is more aggressive, and with Macron announcing French troops to go to Odessa, the West already fell into his play. 2. In case you forgot, Ukraine is backed by the entire Europe, specifically NATO nations. It's literally just NATO vs. Russia, with Ukraine as battlefield. How coincident is it that the only times Ukraine is failing and retreating (for example, right now) are the time that NATO supplies can't reach soon enough, funny right? 3. The West put more than 16.000 sanctions on Russia, companies moving out, workers escape, it should've crippled Russia economy beyond saving. Yet look at the reality: Russia's still fine and dandy, they might have some problem with workers but that can be resolved thanks to robots, and they even managed to revive some older national product brand that was becoming obsolete due to presence of Western companies. Meanwhile, the West is suffering with record high inflation and risk of total economic downfall and riot. In short, while Russian is intact, the collective West is in shamble economically. Tell me who's being played right now?

[@rylencason4420]

The farther we get into this "conflict" with Russia, the more I blame the American politicians and praise the Russians. 🇷🇺

[@vasilimici1032]

“Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer.” -Sun Tzu

[@karlspaak7069]

That was Michael Corleone in The Godfather part 2

[@nahiyanalamgir7056]

@@karlspaak7069 The Corleone saying was more like, "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer"

[@shalev3368]

"כבדהו וחשדהו" (to respect someone while suspecting him) Was written by the jews sages 2000 years ago

[@jennymay330]

And who is the enemy?

[@vasilimici1032]

@@jennymay330 Your friend today is your enemy tomorrow.

[@annacartel1835]

Missed one key issue here - Putin's Munich speach. Add it to make the full picture

[@ronymooney6175]

and 2008 Bucharest Summit by NATO

[@mbdulka]

Nah, that ruins their propaganda video ...

[@mbdulka]

Or the part in 2000 when Putin asked Clinton if Russia could join NATO and Clinton laughed and said Russia is too big and independent.

[@ov7419]

Correct!

[@0bserver146]

If NATO allowed Russia to join, it'd lose its purpose and thus effectively cease to exist.

[@NorthPoleSun]

Title should be "Twenty Years of the West Playing Putin in 3 Minutes"

[@killmen_55055]

Hryuk-hryuk

[@Mika-dv1os]

Now "failed personal diplomacy" called the fact, that he didn't follow USA "democratic" way?

[@straightforward5916]

Someone rightly said: Putin is that guy in the UN who reads each and every T&C,all the disclaimers and warnings and then choses to disagree without a second thought.

[@Y0NI]

And the makes his own ToS

[@8888LR]

The west playing russia 🇷🇺

[@MrMadnessSRBIN]

usa also breaking alot of UN laws back in 99'

[@endykapini1115]

😂

[@stefanfreestylez]

Легенда🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

[@seechunchong9876]

Forget about Putin. How many politicians you can look them in the eyes and found them to be straightforward and trustworthy nowadays?

[@soccerguy325]

A few.

[@parisulki729]

Well, western politicians come and go. One presidents administration could override all work of the previous one. But did Putin ever left his position? And don't say Medvedev, it's common knowledge that he was a ploy, while Putin still was in power by being Prime minister

[@Reth_Hard]

Vermin Supreme, just to name a few...

[@maliksy7746]

He's referring to American politicians

[@soccerguy325]

@@maliksy7746 Yeah, there's still a few.

[@abdullahalraiyan7873]

they talk about what he did, but not what they did that forced his reactions.

[@SnakeEngine]

What New York Times covers is: How we played Putin. But now he decided enough is enough. ("The Council of Advice", is the proper translation from Russian btw.)

[@zarypoff]

He sincerely thought he could change their attitude. Anyone in doubt can listen to his Munich speech in 2007. In the end, these guys bail on him.

[@musicnlove911]

Prior to his munich speech, he genocided the chechens, had Estonia hacked, threatened Poland with invasion, occupied parts of Moldova and killed journalists opposing his crimes against the russian population. He was a criminal before 2007. Noone in their right mind should integrate russia and certainly the west was way to naive.

[@DrMrPersonGuy]

Lol no, he openly claimed that the USSR territories should be returned to russia. The West was blind to russian aggression.

[@amandapeluso4217]

Exactly

[@katerinak5387]

Действительно, в Мюнхенской речи он был максимально прямолинейным.

[@thekontuli2828]

If the US had properly analysed that speech; there would be no war in Ukraine today. but then again, the US was intending initiating a proxy war with Russia soon after 2016 US presidential elections. The Chair of Defence Adam Schiff was already boasting in the media that they would "fight Russia in Ukraine so that they don't have to do it here (in the US)" - 2 to 3 years before this war started.

[@Ola_Uteligger]

''I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy.'' Should have taken a peek into the other one aswell...

[@dmitry5233]

Says the man who has no soul... The irony

[@johannuys7914]

Said by the man who has the blood of over a million Iraqi's on his hands. Well done Ola.

[@denisevarrie6880]

Says who? Bushing other countries for a great loot😢

[@tshililoclaudinahmugovheli5793]

😀M finding this amusing

[@HayDawgWood]

He has a weird twitch

[@TroySan1985]

i keep finding him to be a savant, well spoken and on the ball

[@District_57_Toastmasters]

It's not how someone acts that matters....it's what they do

[@stefm.8438]

And he wasn't gonna go to the Ukraine but the americans made him do the move. Don't be fooled people.

[@maxs6450]

You are absolutely right! Thanks

[@DreadNawght]

He wasn't playing the west. The west was playing itself.

[@vlada91bulbulder]

true india china russia are strong now

[@farhadaa]

It's all business for the West and suffering for the East, always has been.

[@Simboiss]

If only "The West" was a clear concept...

[@darkwoodmovies]

@@vlada91bulbulder China's flopping and India is too dependent on the USA to dip.

[@SumitGaming-]

​@@darkwoodmoviesindia dependent on usa 😂nice joke

[@stefanmilojkovic]

It would be better to make a video about a USA fooling Russia 34 years

[@stefanmilojkovic]

Or playing..nvr mind

[@Mertvayamyish]

Или как сша вторгались в десятки стран и разрушали их

[@MrElias1998]

Yea i cant really see how Putin played the West when the only one suffering are russians and the country He is invading.

[@inspektorcap7267]

Agree 100%

[@amotriuc]

not sure how USA was fooling Russia, Russia was doing what it wanted for 34 years. The only fooling was: Russia did ask USA for control of half of the Europe and USA did say that's silly they can't promise that.

[@mariadyma6321]

When the West violated the treaty and began to expand NATO closer to Russia again, they thought to laugh at Putin, but the one who laughs last laughs

[@Blanka1100]

There is no written treaty not to expand Nato that you can show me. Why didn't Putin invade Poland which borders Russia and joined in 1999? Did he wake up yesterday? Why didn't he invade Finland which has the boggest land border with Russia? Because Nato is fake excuse for russian greed. Putin wants Ukraine and he could invade non Nato Ukraine only.

[@S1aSoN]

Problem is that appetite of USA and NATO, became more and more hungry...

[@eastone8514]

Putin was opened to West, wanted do business on equal terms. Wanted to introduces alternative currencies to international trade (besides $$),. Title should be 20 year of Putin attempting establish good relations and how the West end up backstabbing Russia with playing political games at Russia's doorsteps.

[@MatthewCobalt]

If he was a competent politician, he would have stopped in 2014 and kept Ukraine out of the EU and NATO indefinitely. But he wasn't, he was more of a mobster than a politician, intimidating and manipulating the veil so much that once something broke away, his only choice was violence.

[@zukunftverstehen]

@eastone8514 - you said it all! As a Russian I can confirm, that's exactly what has been happening!

[@danielchettiar5670]

​@@MatthewCobaltWtf are you even talking about? Westerners are the biggest morons I see when it comes to geopolitics

[@MrIceColdM]

Great comment.

[@deraid712]

And started war in Georgia, occupied it's territory. Hmm, very interesting way of wanting to do business with civilized world while killing other people in other countries

[@no1stress77]

Now we need a version of USA coups around the world in the last 20 years. To bring things to a more even playfield

[@mohann2289]

No they are failed look at Afghanistan,vietnam, iraq, Iran

[@ashu-]

@@mohann2289 lost the battle but won the war, look at the economy and sanctions.

[@moslyjeb3090]

@@ashu-look at Vietnam, they’re our friend now, and their economy are doing pretty well after the war. 😂😂😂

[@atlash6387]

​@@moslyjeb3090Oh I'm sure they really consider US friends.

[@j.ceasar]

@@atlash6387 they actually do.

[@mariusmarius4832]

The guy is genius ,well educated, intelligent and super diplomatic.He also cares deeply for his country. Which western leader can match that...???Give the devil his due right

[@berserker4940]

More like the West played him

[@truth1267]

How would you guys feel if it was the opposite and there was Russian weapons and both Mexico and Canada pointing at us…

[@saumyashah4831]

this is exactly the thing no one wants to realize 😭 all busy blaming russia

[@powerboatguy2308]

We don't the ability to put ourselves into other's shoes.

[@darkwolf4434]

It wouldn't matter. Russia can fire at the US from Russia and the US can do the same. We don't have cold war tech anymore. The situation would be similar if the US were to constantly threaten Mexico and completely infiltrate the mexican goverment to do things that benefits nobody but the US.

[@RodolfoMiguelBia]

No hay ni se planteo nunca qué exista ningún arma no convencional en Ucrania. Rusia incumplió el tratado de Budapest.

[@vadimkochkin9095]

​@@RodolfoMiguelBia Why UK and US insisted that Ukraine gives nukes to Russia do you think?

[@ttgeopol1289]

Actually, most people in the world does not see him as a "bad man", but as a Russian patriot. America and West Europeans see Russia as an enemy because it does not fold to Western interests. Putin has transformed Russia from a poor, almost failed state, to a country that cannot be pushed aside.

[@MrJdsenior]

No, they see Russia as nothing, totally irrelevant, a world stage wannabe. Nobody in America was talking about Russia at all, contrary to the Russians ongoing blabberfest about the US and the rest of the West. You would know that if you'd ever been here. The US had over 14X Russia's economy pre war, much more than that now, and it's people, per Capita, earn about twenty times what Russians do, on average. Putin is transforming Russia into something that may not even be the Russian Federation in the end. If you can't see that, you are blind. Already, supporters and satellite countries of Russia are dissing Putin and Russia left and right, even holding Putin in waiting in meetings, just like he used to do them. It is HILARIOUS to watch. In case you didn't realize it, Russia won it's end of WWII ONLY because the US was supplying them trucks, planes, etc.. and more ammo than we were using toward the end of WWII. Russia has been a no op for centuries. Moscow was a dirt road town when Kyiv was a large city. The way you guys rewrite history is absolutely amazing.

[@RDdggrd]

A dictator is still a dictator.

[@ttgeopol1289]

@@RDdggrd define dictator

[@Toroleco]

@@RDdggrd USA is ruled by Vanguard and BlackRock and the corporate mafia, a Dictator has more acountability and less power than Big Business.

[@infnte9984]

идиот

[@lescaster2179]

Now do one about the Mainstream Media playing the American People...

[@cidadaoPPT]

In case anyone needed a reminder that you are no longer a news organization.

[@alexanderlevitin1390]

This is not a war between Russia and Ukraine at all, but part of the US geopolitical war for the preservation of a unipolar world.

[@RedSpicyFeast1010]

Precisely.👍

[@tbmofoulprinceromero]

Oh, and it somehow justifies Russia's invasion?

[@user-bz5kg1ek4y]

Underrated comment

[@HoomanxD]

Very well said. Short and informative 👏

[@PogU_4Life]

Russia has commited war Crimes in Ukraine and is a terrorist nation.

[@knighthawk3559]

He wasn't playing them, it was his 'special military co-operation'

[@ionorreastragicomicchannel]

Yeah, like the Operation Iraqi Freedom.. Neither Russia nor USA are angels, they are just competitors for influence within Europe, they both have done plenty of clandestine operations to get where they are now, and after the fall of the Soviet Union, there were plenty of neutral countries liberated from bear's influence. A new battle for the influence thus began, until the West met the East through their expansion of influence with each other again. The difference is, that no large nation wanted to join Russia's sphere of influence by a democratic process, only as a dictatorship puppet state, as Russia is not enthusiastic about democracy, not even an illusion of democracy as the West has for the same reason why China isn't a democracy, it would be counterproductive to the unity of the nation that would at best end like EU, at worst like the middle east. That's why only the Crimea region that was part of the Russia for a long time joined Russia somewhat legitimately and without any fight as somewhat larger piece of land.

[@socrateswithinabrownbear]

Operation but okay

[@rok2383]

@@socrateswithinabrownbear whoosh.

[@petergreen5337]

HAHAHA, very true, it just took 20 years for us all to UNDERSTAND.

[@melayujembal2749]

Lame

[@Adarsh_sharma12474]

Now putin rules ❤

[@_-MiamiVice-_]

Bush: I was able to get a sense of his soul Me: George, how do you get a sense of something you have never had?

[@user-bq9wy9kx3y]

#1 best comment ever.

[@afonsoalexandre4722]

It's missing in this story, the NATO invitation in 2008, to Georgia and Ukraine to become it's members. That's when things start changing.

[@Bobeli2008]

At that 2008 he was not the president of Russia, and the army top commander, so had nothing to do with the 5 days war in Georgia.

[@berniko4954]

​@@Bobeli2008He gave commands, Medvedev is a puppet of Putin

[@solitary200]

@@Bobeli2008 plz, he was always the leader, he had a puppet in place with Medvedev. Only reason he had Medvedev take power is because he didn't want to change the constitution at that point.

[@Bobeli2008]

@@solitary200 puppet or not - it's only your opinion, you know? There's an army. Big army. They strictly perform the orders. Real orders. Not dreams or personal wishes or assumes like yours. Millions of people in Russia who were receiving orders from Medvedev and going to execute them in order to work on a daily basis, they were supposed to do what? Do what Medvedev said or do what Putin said? Now, it's no secret Putin remained having his previous office, board number one, his limousine and all. He WAS GOING TO BE BACK. So what?

[@faxriimanov3D]

So what? these is the independent nations it's for them to choose.

[@pavlenikolic9023]

I wish to se a clip named US playing the rest of the world. But that cannot be put in 3 minutes

[@Asoka-great]

u do it.

[@gelo3859]

LOL

[@bojannikolic5678]

Dobro rečeno ...Trebao bi im klip od jedno dva sata ...

[@miguelbarrientos7276]

More like 3 hours🤭

[@samvictor217]

exact same thought, i have and I am not even Russian, I am Indian, and I know that the world is suffering because of the crimes of US

[@raphaelcuault8819]

Poutin: "I suggest to rename NATO as the Council of the Soviets" Croud: *Laughing* Poutin: "I actually meant that..."

[@RussianAngel120]

Russian from Crimea here. The title is wrong. The West was playing... unfortunately.

[@MyZk089]

How is the temperature in the Troll Factory in St:Petersburg these days?

[@RussianAngel120]

@@MyZk089 What are you talking about? Do you need to see a doctor?

[@fpsnoobs8453]

they still cant believe that crimea want to be russian

[@kookootrix1978]

Russian occupying Crimea

[@rubiconb8176]

@@MyZk089 Everyone I disagree with is a Russian troll.

[@rmg3008]

No as an American I can tell you that he didn't play America America has played Russia along with a ton of other countries

[@Mush2389]

You would think that wouldn’t you.

[@rmg3008]

@@Mush2389 no thinking just facts

[@deejons5760]

Yeah, wow, the West played with Russia. It was terrible what we did by giving weapons to terrorist movements, and also on that day when we invaded Russia and destroyed half of the country. We really are terrible.

[@BadgerView]

@@rmg3008 Your personal facts or the real facts? The real fact distance them selves from your personal facts.... by miles

[@ReveredWizardBob]

I can't hear you over your spats of self importance as a nation and failure to ever admit to any failings or shortcomings. The only thing you've ever played is yourselves by creating terrorist nations in the middle east fuelled with hate towards the West and the support of countries that commit war crimes under the banner of "self protection" when in reality you do it for money and military security of US interests in the middle east (OIL AND MONEY).

[@pankajtekchandani3417]

I am not a geopolitics expert but Libya was a real turning point for him. Going on the offensive was always years in the making though well before that.

[@waltermodel2521]

yes, you're right. Medvedev was president at the time, but after that there was a loss of trust of the West in Russia

[@izajahmed8863]

Libya?

[@kamaubrendamuthoni9490]

@@izajahmed8863 they murdered Putin’s best friend Gaddaffi. He was president of Libya

[@user-ug5mf4yy4j]

Глупость. Какая Ливия? Мюнхен 2007, а потом лучший друг США Саакашвилли напал на Южную Осетию итд

[@notastone4832]

@@kamaubrendamuthoni9490 "best friend" bruh everyone but NATO was against getting rid of gadaffi

[@julianlawson1608]

*Tucker Carlson has entered the chat

[@ILWU4Ever2024]

What the world leaders of democracy say about Putin: “Fooled me once…shame on you. Fooled me twice…shame on me”.

[@buryitdeep]

Funny how the good guy becomes the bad guy when he won't do what they want.

[@userlox615]

He still a good guy btw

[@andrzejdymek1822]

Tell me how person that is ordering poisoning of his enemies, locking people in jail keeping propaganda in country and sending young people to die and a former secret police member a "good guy"? Xd

[@nexofilipe]

It’s the west agreeability complex. Everyone is a friend until it has a different view and goal.

[@pedromarques9267]

True, Putin reminds me those co-worker that are nice with everyone, overdeliver and help everyone when they need until they found out they were backstabbed by their co-workers and starts reacting aggressively. Everyone things that the guy who is aggressive is the mad one when the co-workers are the ones to blame

[@bananenmusli2769]

@@nexofilipe if his goal is to slaughter innocent families in another country then he should absolutely be allowed to do it, right? That's what I'm getting from your comment.

[@gjk-py6xj]

He is straightforward and trustworthy. He made it quite clear nato expansion to Ukraine would mean war.

[@artiombakhrakh9714]

Yes because ukraine is in nato, and nato goes to countries and taked their territories. You goofball

[@user-pt5ne4mg7l]

@@artiombakhrakh9714 Didn't they change Serbian borders?

[@inejklaus3047]

@@artiombakhrakh9714 dude, Ukraine has wanted into NATO for years, NATO expanded outwards to the east by accepting Poland, the balcan states, Turkey. They didn’t keep their word and so Ukraine wanting in was like the last straw for Russia imo.

[@artiombakhrakh9714]

@@inejklaus3047 their word was with the ussr

[@rizzo9748]

@@artiombakhrakh9714 and Russia is a legal child of USSR. And if NATO was created against USSR what's the point of keeping it after USSR collapsed? Russian aggression? But there is no evidence for that aggression until 2014 revolution in Ukraine which was triggered by West

[@Instagramdiff1]

❤️ thank you , sir 😊

[@user-fy3qi1rp3r]

Putin 20yrs ago has different eyes and eyebrows than 2024 Putin

[@ventibreeze6648]

These politicians all smile and shake hands but neither one trusts the other.

[@imperator791]

That's the first thing for becoming a politician - Never trust anyone

[@powerboatguy2308]

There are very good reasons for both county's leaders not to trust the other.

[@CosmicValkyrie]

I clicked on this to write about how it's the other way around but I'm pleased to see everyone understands the truth already.

[@elpresidenta1945]

The fact that the West just kinda ignored the 2008 Invasion of Georgia is crazy

[@user-tz6vf8to5f]

the fact that the West's invasion of Iraq without a UN mandate was ignored by everyone (except Germany and Switzerland, who simply condemned) is simply madness. And the Georgian war was recognized as provoked by the Georgian side after the shelling of South Ossetia. The only thing that was said was that Russia's response was excessive, but here we behaved like Israel and completely ignored these accusations.

[@elpresidenta1945]

@@user-tz6vf8to5f agreed

[@user-lm1co4zx4u]

Это Грузия напала на Абхазию и Осетию.

[@TobiasVetterTV]

Well, Schröder and Putin are still friends...

[@Max_Jacoby]

It's funny to see so many different presidents from America while only one from Russia. He's like "eh, whatever, I won't see you after 4 years anyway".

[@apb2081]

Look at what dictatorship means for Russia. Total failiure.

[@claritaturbo]

As I continue to say - I can not wait to be 60/70 years old, total grandpa, and watching the documentary movie on what actually happened right under our noses. Time is ticking

[@Trin978]

I can't wait for the day putin Era will end. He's days are numbered. He's 69 already.. Devil is waiting.

[@lobiankk77]

It'll be totally manipulated by the masonic elite, though.

[@claritaturbo]

@@lobiankk77 .. don’t worry .. people like you will make the cut too

[@Miller80]

if ure not in ur 40s alrdy this i can tell ya aint gonna happen brother, either we get nuked out, slaved to death or a.i take over and destroy us.

[@akjohnny5997]

and it will be total propaganda. i wouldn't waste your life waiting for 'the truth'

[@ACOcean]

The world would have fewer problems if the media told and showed the truth more often instead of lies.

[@JP_555]

Do you know the name of the music in the second plan? It's awesome

[@sergeikhmylov1557]

Bruno Nicolai & Edda dell'Orso - Cheek to Cheek

[@olaf9957]

It seems to me that while Putin was playing them, they were also playing him. And at the same time, they were all playing us.

[@Mira-pm3ni]

Best comment 🤣🤣🤣

[@olaf9957]

@Accurate Mediator HD CH1 us the citizens. We are all losers, no matter which side we're on. Meanwhile the Putin and Biden of this world are laughing at us.

[@joons3374]

What ordinary people do not understand is that politics have to lie, to pretend they trust someone in order not to raise suspicion, it is true that some of them are dumb, but a person with a high education on politics intuitively understands that the way to power is a game of deceit, you smile, shake the hand and keep your eyes on the person no matter what. You have to say things you don't believe in order to be the one who strikes first, or at the veey least not to be a target.

[@trippasnippa119]

for some reason media wants you to think that america is just the fool out of the big three governments. Our people of america are pretty goofy. The government knows that if they preoccupy us with sjw topics we'll never be able to see whats actually going on. Not that i have some big grandiose conspiracy theories but i know everything isnt as it seems.

[@joons3374]

@@trippasnippa119 american government is far from stupid when it comes to foreign politics, they just know how to keep the rest of the world under their thumb..

[@jaredmarrero5251]

Yeah…then you have to sign a bunch of treaties and papers that bind you together financially with Russia, and then when they play their game, you’re screwed because they provide 90% of your oil (Germany). These politicians are not smart. They’re the engineers of a multi state disaster that is culminating in the immense loss of life in Ukraine.

[@egg-iu3fe]

Politics is just a game of thrones

[@happyelephant5384]

And who are you? Aren't one of ordinary people? Why their believes worse then yours? What if they are right and you are just ordinary person and wrong?

[@kodiak9840]

The arrogance of the Modernist Civilzations is breathtaking.

[@NoamPitlick-bg8kw]

Putin exhibited academy award performances here.

[@alsosprachzarathustra5505]

NATO going offensive in Serbia was his awakening, I think. The further enlargement in 2004, and the tried one in 2008 was another development fostering his suspicion towards NATO. The war against Libya was not needed anymore but just eradicated any of his doubts: NATO was not just a defensive pact it was aggressive too. Hence, it became a potential threat. Why do you think did he had so many spies in western countries? He wanted to find out what their plans are for Russia. However, he made up his mind long time before 2022 and had very much reason for his decision to act violently.

[@victorenin8760]

The attack on Serbia was a moment of awakening not only for Putin, it was a moment of awakening for all Russians. Then the Russians felt threatened.

[@wbsees]

His awakening was in 1991.

[@user-dq3ee5kh6m]

@@wbsees Мало кто понимает это

[@NightOwl222]

In the 1990s USA was in control of Russia, establishing NGOs there and also in early 2000s USA created the Chechen conflict in Russia. Putin knew all this.

[@agagqbq]

his "reason for his decision to act violently" was because it would no longer be possible to take annex Ukraine if they joined NATO the fact that you think Ukraine would be needed for NATO to attack Russia is so hilarious you clearly watched too much of Putin's propaganda, a war between Russia and the US would be over in a day even during Russia's wannabe-annexation of Crimea only 22% of Finland's population was in favour of joining NATO

[@stefanivezic6500]

Putin kept trying for 20 years to be allies with NATO and to be on the same side, but the West always looked upon him as an outsider, didn't take him serioiusly, and kept pushing its boundaries East.

[@MrJdsenior]

What a bunch of BS. In case you are not aware, NATO was formed and populated to preclude MORE Soviet (Russian) expansion. True then, true now, with Sweden and Finland clamoring to join, with no previous interest whatsoever, after Putin's Ukraine brain fart. Putin does more to increase NATO cohesiveness and power than anyone else ever could. NATO had literally NOTHING to do with this attack, or any other. Putin has been writing and speaking openly about the 'a return to the glorious USSR' for decades, and about nations like Ukraine having no sovereign rights. Nice try, but bring in the hook folks, and drag this one off stage. Maybe try it again, with some actual supporting evidence, like I did. What a concept.

[@Geluonis920]

Oh stfu. If not for centuries of russian agression and russophication of russia's neighbours would not need to join nato. Or was it not moscow who occupied baltic states for 50 years? Was it not kremlin who had puppet states in all eastern europe?

[@user-bz8zt6jv1x]

If Russia and NATO were on the same side what would be the reason for NATO to exist?

[@Kronwall]

I would say because of a Post-9/11 world/Isis etc@@user-bz8zt6jv1x

[@Art-qs9ow]

@@user-bz8zt6jv1x Believe me, our world is full of dangers even without a hard Kremlin

[@tommcfadden5232]

Biden: For God sake this man can’t remain in power. Putin 2024: Tired of holding my beer yet?

[@ryjooo5]

he is like the quiet kid in class but in presidential level 😂😂

[@itsmeratnesh599]

Well, NYT should also make video on "100 years of West Playing with the Whole World in 10 Minutes"

[@Henrique-wy6cv]

I think you mean 4000 years lol

[@lonestar1068]

You and I think alike 🤔, stay on the right path even if it's just you on it .

[@Amsterdamochka]

👍

[@Amsterdamochka]

@@Henrique-wy6cv 4000🤦‍♀️???

[@bizzwap8633]

... LMFAO... Yes, 4,000 years. Did you miss out on World History class or do you think that America is the only country associated with 'the west.' sdklfjsdkljfas

[@Inara590]

You forgot two wars in Chechnya. The fact that he changed Russian constitution to remain in power indefinitely, has been in power for over 20 years. What a great well-rounded guy.

[@georgewang9094]

technically Putin was only part of the second Chechen war. The first one was under Yeltsin.

[@nesirosern8596]

Yeah, and technically Chechnya started these wars, so... I honestly can't understand why do people who know nothing about Russia or Eastern Europe or history or international relationships or politics in general feel the need to talk about it 🙄

[@imnotanasshole6258]

And the queen has been the queen for 70 years what’s your point ?

[@gocestavreski2589]

Queen has no power to decide

[@inmundo6927]

@@imnotanasshole6258 the point is that the queen of England did not change the constitution 70 years ago to remain in power indefinitely. It was passed on to her by tradition and precedence. On the other hand Putin changed the rules of the game to suit his ego-trip.

[@MrMexijorge]

Stop expanding NATO and the problem with Russia get's solved.

[@toshi9794]

Need a video of the us playing everybody else

[@rnapol3266]

How did he play the west? NATO has been getting closer and closer to Russia’s border. NATO missiles are within striking distance of moscow. Then, when there were rumors of ukraine joining NATO, that’s when president Putin drew the line.

[@ROBLOXGamingDavid]

that's one thing. No matter what motive, they may just not accept the fact that, it is by choice to join NATO. To me, they want to get away from Russia, but on the other, I can predict that they will say they want to attack Russia even though it's solely on defense (but... that's being questioned and became a done deal long ago, everything is a power projection offensive)

[@Gaius_Julius_Caesar_Augustus]

Dude what does other countries joining NATO has anything to do with his invasion of Ukraine?

[@rnapol3266]

@@Gaius_Julius_Caesar_Augustus nato getting closer and closer to Russian border …

[@philiprea8340]

Exactly!!

[@SM-uj1ep]

NATO had a treaty with Russia to not have bordering countries join nato. Ukraine has always been seen as part of Russia (in russias eyes). Once Ukraine tried to join, nato were looking like they would accept, means breach in treaty and putin showing he won’t stand for it. This is all natos fault thinking they had Russia under control, well who’s got the red face here then? NATO keeps prodding, putin will not back down, neither will nato, unfortunately people, ww3 started last year once nato sent arms to Ukraine. Hopefully it stays in cyber warfare, not physical battle grounds

[@sparrowsparrow7505]

If anything, kudos to the NYT and their sense of humor.

[@haikalhadzik7744]

So no one is going to point out that it all started in 2008 Bucharest NATO summit? that time NATO openly declared to invite Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, after that Putin give a declaration of Hostilities to NATO nations in the summit for crossing the "red line", couple of months later Georgia invaded south ossetia thinking NATO would back them up, but NATO lied just like Ukraine today. This video really a propaganda trying to shift our prospective of history

[@kimkim-mh7bv]

This is the reason why you should unsubscribe this channel. Why? Bush and obama was a f$$l and let putin go off while trump use russia and get rid of isis and other problem and russia didn't expand at all. And yet this channel didn't tell the truth and claim everyone are the same.

[@urbonx]

And propaganda

[@priyanshu3182]

They didnt make a vid on west playing putin coz that would go on for hours

[@constancemiller3753]

Just don't open your mail without gloves. 🧪📬

[@SameerSamon]

West: We took everyone down but he.. He is tough.

[@user-lm1co4zx4u]

Чтобы вы там не говорили, но именно Запад спровоцировал войну в Украине. Почему? А вспомните карибский кризис. Тогда Запад поствил ядерку в Турцию . Тогда СССР тоже сделал самое на Кубе. И США это не понравилось. А почему вы думаете ,что России нравится,что вы окружаете нас НАТО , и тем более втягивая туда Украину?

[@esbjorn9199]

Would have loved to see you include the part where Trump is scolding the European leaders for Nordstream. Putin tried to play the West as did the West try to play him.

[@MasterRe-mk3rs]

Yep, Trump knew the situation very well, but the author of this video has a different agenda.

[@MMAVoodoo]

You think the NYT is going to admit that a Republican was right about anything?

[@justinlavine9209]

Probably. I don't know exactly what you mean by 'play', but it seems to me that's usually the way with international relations where any two sides have a vested interest in a common thing.

[@profinneupane6883]

What did he told them?

[@MasterRe-mk3rs]

@@profinneupane6883 that Germany and the other EU countries shouldn't have been so dependent on Russian gas

[@lightblue254]

Thank you, NYT❤

[@gentoffire]

Playing? That's why it's only NYT Opinion who don't dare to open its comments under its articles. Putin is a strong and excellent leader.

[@andrewdunn49ers]

This isn’t really 20 years of him playing us. It’s just clips of him shaking hands with heads of state.

[@INNIMA]

Only the regime media complex can turn a hand shake into a conspiracy theory 😂😂

[@WeyardWiz]

Played like a fiddle! 🤣🤣

[@mejrikais6002]

The phantom pain putin 😅

[@Psookpy]

Lmfao

[@art_means_artificial]

Love Putin!

[@kimkim-mh7bv]

This is the reason why you should unsubscribe this channel. Why? Bush and obama was a f$$l and let putin go off while trump use russia and get rid of isis and other problem and russia didn't expand at all. And yet this channel didn't tell the truth and claim everyone are the same.

[@isaiahbaker132]

@@art_means_artificial how many times you gonna comment that b.s. under different comments man

[@the-architect7789]

Cool, now make a video of America playing the world since WW2!

[@Alexxxxander]

🇷🇺🤝🇺🇲 We all need peace and good relations between our countries and our peoples. Best regards from Russia.

[@riershov]

У них нет понятия дружба, есть только партнёрство. Нам никогда не быть с ними друзьями, они всегда будут вставлять нам нож в спину

[@ponderion3mimu]

ロシアもアメリカも随分と人が変わった様だ…共通点はやはりあるのだろうか？