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Mikhail Khodorkovsky, speaking about Putin's rise to power in the documentary Citizen K - > "It seemed to me that, ideologically, he was one of our people. A m
by LichenStone 5y ago
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, speaking about Putin's rise to power in the documentary Citizen K -
> "It seemed to me that, ideologically, he was one of our people. A man of our generation, who gets it, who wants to push Russia in the same direction that we want for it. That is towards openness, towards democracy.
Boy was I mistaken.
He's a very talented KGB guy. Very talented. You like leftists? Putin will behave around you in a way that you will be convinced that he's a leftist. You like nationalists? Putin is going to act around you in a way that you'll think that he's a bit of a nationalist. You like conservatives? Talk to him and you will get an impression that he's a conservative.
That's a talent."
- mytailorisrich 5y agoI find this either delusional or disingenuous. Putin has been Putin forever. Remember that Khodorkovsky had a massive fallout with Putin and ended fleeing the country, he has a vested interest in painting himself in a certain way.
- jleyank 5y agoHe’s also saying Putin hasn’t changed, and that he’s able to present himself as aligned with the listener. Makes sense as the best politicians can do this well.
- LichenStone 5y agoI don't know what you find hard to believe in the idea that an ex-KGB man who has been an autocratic illiberal leader for over 20 years now, might just be quite manipulative and duplicitous in his diplomatic communications.
- mytailorisrich 5y agoBecause it has always been quite clear, and he has always been quite clear, about what he is about. And that's also not new for Russia. Do you think the guys in Langley haven't known exactly what he is about all along? Of course Khodorkovsky knew as well but now it's best for him to say he was played and is a victim.