I can’t help but think that for fans of the Discworld series, Putin is the closest we have to a Lord Vetinari that exists in the modern world. Though Pratchett’s Lord Vetinari differs in that he is shown as avoiding the limelight, shows of gaudy spectacle, or even race baiting, Putin is similar in the most important aspect: Lord Vetinari was against needless cruelty, but whole heartedly in favour of needed cruelty. And in Putin’s eyes, this sort of cruelty is necessary for the Russian state.
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