Will Trump be a kiss of life or death for Putin?

Their stated admiration for one another will put Russia on an equal footing with the US, but Putin’s popularity at home depends on having an enemy, says William Pomeranz.

Donald Trump

SUCCESSFUL politicians are also lucky. With the election of Donald Trump as US president, Russian President Vladimir Putin got the luckiest break of all.

Instead of continued isolation, Putin will get yet another reset, with several long-term goals — a recognised zone of influence, non-interference in domestic affairs, an equal relationship with the United States — within his grasp.