The only "viewpoint" espoused by Putin since 2008 is that of imperialistic belligerent expansion into other countries, in a bid to recapture the former "glory"

The only "viewpoint" espoused by Putin since 2008 is that of imperialistic belligerent expansion into other countries, in a bid to recapture the former "glory" of the Russian empire, not USSR, empire. What do you mean learning from history? The historic parallels to another leader are so overwhelming that I'm not even going to point them out to you. Their "viewpoint" is that other, free, people should be forced with violence to bow to his will.