Blame Obama's weak policy on Ukraine and Syria, not Putin

I disagree with Professor Makau Mutua over Putin’s motives in Russia’s former states. Russia is simply protecting its Geo strategic interests in the region which is what any leader of Russia is expected to do.

 For too long since the demise of the USSR, NATO and its allies have ignored Russia’s legitimate security and national interests and expanded NATO eastward. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the idea of allowing Ukraine to join NATO! This would be the equivalent of the US allowing Mexico or Canada to join an anti-American coalition such as the former Warsaw Pact.

Professor Mutua need to remember that there is a significant Russian diaspora in its former republics including Ukraine whose rights of citizenship is being regularly violated. As a regional power, Russia would be irresponsible if it decided not to act.

Moreover, in Syria, the lack of clarity on American foreign policy in the regime change agenda against Assad has precipitated a situation where there is a power vacuum which is being taken over by ISIS. It is in the interests on both Russia and the US to contain and eventually eliminate ISIS in Syria and the wider Middle East. Putin has to act to avoid anarchy in Syria if Assad is toppled.

Lastly, I think it is a bit simplistic to equate Putin to Hitler and any inaction against him as appeasement. Russia is a regional power whose interests have not been considered or valued by the West. It is only reasonable to expect any Russian leader to protect these interests and expand Russia’s sphere of influence in the region and especially in its former states.