"Some believe Putin's KGB background explains everything, but his allegiance to the KGB is in turn explained by his intense nationalism — which accounts for his popularity in Russia."
"Such powers have spheres of influence and subjugate lesser powers. At home, they celebrate national traditions and prize collective glory, not individual freedom."
Vladimir Putin - The 2008 TIME 100 - TIME https://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1733748_1733757_1735578,00.html