I believe Gorbachev was a good man, a visionary. But whatever intentions Russia had to "embrace practically all western values, including a multiparty political system, elimination of censorship, freedom of emigration and travel abroad, etc." were very short-lived. Boris Yeltsin was a drunk and totally out of his depth when it came to the task of turning the old Soviet state into a liberal democracy. Then he anointed Vladimir Putin to succeed him and the present authoritarian-kleptocracy die was cast. Russia is a country rich in natural resources and human capital. And they had help from the west. Trade was opened up. Investments were made. But Russian corruption won the day, and that's on Russia.

Interesting.Gorbachov was possibly the greatest politician of his age and he was unfortunate to be overtaken by events..
If the USA had thrown money at Russia it would probably have been stolen by the oligarchs as they did with the Russian assets.

Boy! Vladimir Putin couldn't have said it better himself. I can understand the right wing fascists supporting Putin. I can't see those from the left supporting him. I guess they are just hard core Bolsheviks and still haven't gotten over the fall of USSR. They feel as if Putin annexed all of Ukraine, Georgia and then takes back the Baltics Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, it'll be like old times are back. Oh goodie.

Such a shame, but I am not surprised at all after all it is all about money.

So it goes