There is a general view that Vladimir Putin governs the Russian Federation as a dictator, that he has defeated and intimidated his opponents, and that he has marshalled a powerful threat to surrounding countries ... a reasonable view, yes, but perhaps it should be re-evaluated in the context of recent events, with Ukraine, obviously, being the place to start: The country is vital to Russia as a buffer against the West and as a route for delivering energy to Europe (which is the foundation of the Russian economy, by the way). Putin's popularity at home soared after the successful Sochi Winter Olympics and after the Western media made him look like the aggressor in Crimea. He has, after all, built his reputation on being tough and aggressive, but as the reality of the situation in Ukraine becomes more obvious, the great victory will be seen as covering a retreat coming at a time of serious economic problems. For many leaders, the events in Ukraine would not represent such an immense challenge, but Putin has built his image on a tough foreign policy, and the economy meant his ratings were not very high before Ukraine.
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