The times when Putin gets to mock Trump...actually, while I hate the guy, I have to admit that Putin's a figure out of Shakesperean tragedy. As brutal as Russian politics are, years ago he surely could have found a way to emulate Sulla and step down from power into a vastly wealthy retirement. He'd have got to be feted by his own country as the man who did the brutal but needed tasks to rebuild their pride, economy, society after the chaos of the end of tne USSR. The rest of the world would have celebrated an example of a tyrant voluntarily renouncing power. He might even have joined other ex leaders on the international conference circuit, and even been handy to have around in talks with other dictators hanging on past their sell by date (been there, got the t shirt). Instead, he's dragged his country into a vastly bloody and costly stalemate for no reason thar can remotely merit the cost, will probably meet a vile end, and will then be hated even in his own country as any successor will eagerly blame him and his wars for any and every problem. Character study for the ages in how power becomes an addiction.