WSJ: Putin found a secret weapon against the West

The moral and political confusion of the modern West has become Russian President Vladimir Putin's secret weapon, writes Walter Russell Mead for The Wall Street Journal.

“Putin is trying to play on the problems of Western society, which ultimately should bring the American world order to its knees. Betting on Western decadence has more than paid off for more than a decade,” the publication says.

The author believes that in the economic war with the West Russia was able not only to survive, but also to beat up its opponents. In particular, intimidated by the consequences of the financial confrontation, Germany began to shy away from its promises to increase defense spending, the article notes.

"Putin has been most successful in the areas of economics and politics where the West has seen its power as strongest," Mead said.

In his opinion, the West is not optimistic about the fact that its values ​​will unite the world community and force it to come out against Russia in a united front. So, following China, joined by India and Brazil, countries around the world choose trade with Russia instead of solidarity with the G7, the author emphasized.