Putin considers the dissolution of the Soviet Union the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century, and views Ukraine and the Baltics—which chose independence and democracy—as threats to his regime because he cannot tolerate functioning democracies on Russia's borders
factualpending
Speaker
Shawn WestwesterEvidence Quote
“Putin considered the greatest geopolitical disaster...the dissolution of the Soviet Union...he can't have functioning democracies...on his borders”
Source
Inside Russian Intelligence: CIA Insider on Putin’s Playbook, Ukraine & the Next War— The Cipher BriefCreated: 8/12/2026, 6:23:34 PM
My Notes
Loading notes...