I don’t think most Russians would agree that either of the other gentlemen would be preferable. The 80s and 90s were not a time of great happiness, prosperity, calm, and order.

And just like sama may not be the best to run OpenAI of humanity’s interest, Putin isn’t the best to run Russia for humanity’s interest. But both men are incredibly successful at navigating power dynamics to maintain their control over their respective organizations.

Not for Russia's benefit but for his own.

Of the many things that might benefit Russia, another Boris Yeltsin is not among them.

I think they spent decades growing their economy and preparing to be independent of the west and now our sanctions are useless.

It feels like this situation is exactly what they want (and likely an historical inflection point, where we pit east vs west again). Dropping the cold war was needed because they had no resources (surprise, socialism doesn't work!).

I'm waiting for Taiwan next and then I'd say we are completely *** (especially looking at our reliance on the east for manufacturing / energy and how useless our governments are).

The point of sanctions isn't to hurt their economy (that would just make their people mad at us), it's to stop them from resupplying their military.

Their response is to become dependent on China instead.

> It seems like Russia could use another Yeltsin (or Gorbachev) more than Putin for its current situation.

He did say best in the world, not best that can be imagined; so unless you are saying there is another Yeltsin or Gorbachev available...

OTOH, Putin is himself an active reason why alternatives aren't readily available.

I think there are plenty of Russians alive who could do a better job than Putin. Possibly most of them. One of their defining advantages would be that they are not Putin and can renounce his actions.