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It is difficult as someone from the west not to like Vladimir Putin. He is presentable, good looking and charming. He has a nice wife,is a smart dresser and has a sense of humor. As his party recently swept to a landslide victory, amidst claims of rigged votes and corruption, his popularity continued unchecked. There is talk of some permanent position for him when his presidency has to come to an end next year in accordance with the constitution. So why is he so popular?

With the fall of the Berlin wall, and my souvenir rock in my pocket, and the sounds of joy echoing in my ears, it was a new beginning for the eastern block. As Berliners tore it down with their bare hands it was like the end of world war two. Oh the celebrations, the reunions that continued for days. But the wall had been there too long, the division went deeper than barbed wire and armed border guards. On both sides of the wall people had changed.
Communism, though harsh by western standards, and cruel in many ways had provide a security that was now gone. A generation, used to the restrictions imposed, and looking forward to freedom, now discovered it came with a bitter price. In Russia in the harsh reality of the first bitter winter, people died in the streets, and prostituted themselves for a meal.
The old guard was unable to cope, and from the ruins of the old communism a Phoenix arose from the ashes in the shape of Mr Putin. With smooth talk and a firm hand he started to put the country back on its feet. A known KGB man, he still commanded a good following, and as things began to improve under his hand so his popularity began to grow.
The streets of Moscow are very different now, with brightly lit shops full of goods and traffic jams, showing prosperity at last. Although he still holds the reigns, he has a gentle hand with the public, guiding rather than driving his country towards further prosperity.
He is not afraid to use this power abroad for the benefit of his country, as with his control of the oil pipe lines. He is courteous rather than friendly to foreign powers,maintaining an aloofness that states he need answer to no one. He has restored Russia as a world power, and overthrown the oligarchs that had risen to power with the fall of communism. He has restored the right to worship, work and play.
Perhaps in the future his star will fall, but at present he is the best hope for a country brought to its knees, internationally humiliated and pitied until he came into power.
His present title is appropriate, only the future will decide his next one.

Learn more about this author, Diana Reid.
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