The key to understanding Putin? He knows he will outlast Western leaders [Video]

Many believe that history is largely determined by the personal relationships between world leaders. Vladimir Putin’s 25-year interaction with foreign leaders provides a fascinating case study of that theory.

The Russian president recently invited Narendra Modi to a private dinner at his home, and the Indian prime minister proclaimed to be very touched by the gesture. China’s Xi Jinping has called Putin his best friend. At the 2024 BRICS summit, Putin said friendships such as these provide the basis for a “new world order.” 

In the past, more adversarial leaders got a different treatment. 

There was evidence Putin played psychological games with German chancellor Angela Merkel, for example. In a 2007 meeting in Sochi in which they discussed energy supplies to Europe, the Russian president brought in his large Labrador. Putin knew that Merkel was terrified of dogs — the result of a dog attack years before — and it …