Katherine Frisk – This is what I think. Rightly or wrongly. Time will tell and history will most probably either bear me out or discredit me long after I have gone home.
Putin is behaving like a gentleman. Strange concept I know. Must say I have not seen one of those in a long, long time.
The Chinese have a similar social etiquette. It is called not making someone else lose face, which is considered the height of bad manners. The West on the other hand has no such ethic.
When you are sitting with a winning hand and your opponent is in the corner, you offer them a polite way to save face and the situation is defused. The West on the other hand, kicks over the table, flips out the lights and all guns are blazing.
At every turn I do believe Putin has made this offer to the West. And I might add, I think he has also done it because he is supported by and has very good ties with many in the West who have literally gone to him for help, because all else has failed.