Why Putin is a Hero to Russians

The Americans wrecked Russia. Putin brought it back. That’s why Russians love him. That’s why Americans hate him.

A journalist tries to get Putin’s attention at the Russian leader’s annual marathon press conference in 2016.[Source: CNN]

To explain the popularity of Vladimir Putin to my fellow Americans, I often say that to Russians, Putin is a version of FDR and JFK — all rolled into one.

First, Putin is a sort of FDR because he rescued Russia from the economic death spiral that destroyed the country…