Question

What motivates Vladimir Putin?

Answer 1

Putin's position on the war in Syria has proven to be very pragmatic, with the US-backed ISIS emerging as a worldwide threat. Russia has been separated from its position on the Syrian conflict and accused of escalating the conflict. To date, all the nations that supported ISIS in the Syrian conflict regard ISIS as an imminent threat to their safety. In Afghanistan, Libya and other disputes, America and the West have not learned their lessons. This demonstrates that there are many lacunas in the modus operandi of the West.

Coming to the Ukraine issue, the U.S. and its allies ousted a democratically elected government and designated a pro-Western government without due regard for the Power's democratic transition phase. America deposed the government of Victor Yanukovych as it favored a trade agreement with Russia. Russia rightly opposed Western intentions and saw these Western activities as an imminent threat to its sphere of influence. Following the notorious Crimean referendum, it annexed the Crimean peninsula.  If the West was correct in deposing a democratically elected government of Ukraine , Russia was correct too in annexing the Crimean peninsula. Ironically all the countries of the West blamed Russia for escalating the conflict. Russia became increasingly isolated after the downing of Malaysian aircraft over the Ukrainian airspace.

The nations of the West have implemented economic sanctions on Russia in order to undermine Russia's economy. The move by Russia to retaliate against the nations of the European Union is a calculated and pragmatic step as it would impact the economies of the European Union Member States. Increasing the amount of Euro Skeptical sides combined with retaliatory Russian sanctions could make the EU a fragile coalition and could permanently cripple it (the collapse of the EU can never be excluded in the face of economic trouble). In the long run, that would benefit Russia.

Russia plans to increase its trade with nations in Latin America that are constantly engaged in an ideological conflict with America and its allies. Thus, the EU's crippling and its maneuver towards Latin America and Asia can benefit Russia. Putin plans to paralyze both the EU and the US.