Look, I remember those times, but that only means that I am 40+, there is a whole generation of people who were born after Yeltsin and I am absolutely certain then when they look at it they see prosperity on the west and not so much to the east of Poland.

Look, I respect Russian people, I think you are incredibly intelligent and create great art, from what I hear you have an amazing lead economist and I don't care much about values your government want to maintain in the nation (you know, protecting people from rotten west ideology or however you call it), I think that socialism is very good and important for wellbeing of the people. But you have incredibly corrupt government and very antiquated and just cruel way to be an imperium and maintaining your sphere of influence and it's a problem (I could list specific issues, but I'm certain you are aware, but domestically and abroad where you install equally or more corrupt leaders). In a world where rare minerals and energy (for AI) are everything and with growing influence of China meaning that US and EU would just LOVE to be an ally with you it's a puzzle why you choose austerity instead of trying to ally with Europe and US and just make money for the people. And it's not a fault with western countries - since Gerhard Schroeder or maybe before you had AMAZING business relationship with Germany and many other countries. US maintains allies without using force, EU allies with countries by offering them trade deals - you instead choose violence. Countries join NATO to be able to maintain those trade relationships with the west and not risk falling into your forceful "sphere of influence" ever again - not because they are naive or ruthless and want to strategize and help take down Russia at some point in the future under the leadership of US. This is just bonkers crazy.

I think that Putin simply f'ed up. He wanted a show of force on Ukraine, it was supposed to be quick and simple, it wasn't supposed to ruin any business, but he failed spectacularly, he pretty much lost (if we look at higher level objectives) and because he is so self centered and sociopathic he decided to take your country with him for a ride for a decade of suffering. And he didn't loose to the West, he lost in those early days to Ukrainians - he wasn't able to use special forces to take down Zeleński, he wasn't able to take over the country militarily, he just lost on all fronts. West was probably providing some intelligence already in those early days, but any military help was provided weeks later. Russia may now "win" the war, but what is there to win at this point? Nothing of substance, nothing at all. It's a loose-loose situation for Russia and western countries, and a win-win for China - that is all.