The Putin Interviews

1

Background Information:

The Siege of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) lasted for 872 days from Sept. 8, 1941 to Jan. 27, 1944. During the Siege, the Nazis were able to encircle Leningrad and cut off nearly all of the supplies, including food, to the city. In 1942 alone, 650,000 city residents died as a result. https://www.britannica.com/event/Siege-of-Leningrad

2

Background Information:

The actual number of casualties relative to the number of men mobilised during World War I is appalling. Total number for the Allies was 52%. The total for the Central Powers was 67%. See, “First World War Causalties,” Chris Trueman The History Learning Site (April 17, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-one/world-war-one-and-casualties/first-world-war-casualties/

The numbers on Trueman’s site are supported by those found on the International Encylopedia of the First World War. See, “War Losses,” Antoine Prost (October 8, 2014). Retrieved at: http://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/war_losses

3

Background Information:

Perestroika, was, in the words of the Library of Congress, “Mikhail Gorbachev’s program [starting 1986] of economic, political, and social restructuring, [which] became the unintended catalyst for dismantling” the Soviet state. “Revelations from the Soviet Archive,” Library of Congress, retrieved at: https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/archives/pere.html

4

Background Information:

The August coup of 1991 was a short-lived plot hatched by what the West referred to as “hard-line” Communists who made a last-ditch effort to save the Soviet Union in the face of the chaotic situation brought about by Gorbachev’s Perestroika. The coup was short, lasting only a few days, and most famously involved the kidnapping of Gorbachev and the attempt to reinstate Communist control over the Soviet Union. The plot backfired miserably, making a hero out of Boris Yeltsin who openly led protests against the coup, hastening the collapse of the USSR. See, “The KGB’s Bathhouse Plot,” VICTOR SEBESTYEN, the New York Times (Aug. 20, 2011). Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/opinion/sunday/the-soviet-coup-that-failed.html

5

Background Information:

According to the New York Times, “Anatoly A. Sobchak, the former mayor of St. Petersburg and democratic reformer… gave Acting President Vladimir V. Putin his start in public life.” It was Sobchak who, as mayor, renamed Leningrad to St. Petersburg after the August, 1991 coup. “A.A. Sobchak, Dead at 62; Mentor to Putin,” Celestine Bohlen, Feb. 21, 2000. Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/21/world/aa-sobchak-dead-at-62-mentor-to-putin.html

6

Background Information:

The French Utopian Socialists believed in an egalitarian society which would be established through small, “model communities that set examples of harmonious cooperation to the world.” Theirs was a vision of radical democracy on a small scale, gradually leading to a better world. The Marxian socialists, on the other hand, especially as manifested in the creation of the Soviet Union, believed that socialism would be built through a “clash of social forces,” eventually leading to a workers’ state which initially would take the form of the dictatorship of the proletariat. In other words, this was a view of socialism brought about, not gradually or gently, but, out of necessity, by the revolutionary struggle of workers (and, the Russian revolutionaries would add peasants) which initially would have to create a strong state to suppress the former ruling class made up of industrial owners and large land owners. See, e.g., “Socialism,” Terence Ball, Richard Dagger, Encyclopedia Britannica, retrieved at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/socialism

7

Background Information:

For more detail on the economic chaos and social dislocation brought about by the rapid changes of Perestroika and the collapse of the USSR which resulted, see, Cohen, Stephen F., Soviet Fates and Lost Alternatives: From Stalinism to the New Cold War (Columbia University Press, 2011).

8

Background Information:

The First Chechen War, waged by President Boris Yeltsin, lasted between 1994 and 1996. The war was waged by Moscow to re-assert control of the Republic of Chechnya which was attempting to break away. The Second Chechen War, began on the Russian side by the new President, Vladimir Putin, was carried out in defense of the Chechen Republic leadership against radical Islamic extremists, many who infiltrated from abroad, who were attempting to topple the upstart Chechen government. Thousands died on both sides of these conflicts in what came to be considered “Russia’s Vietnam War.” Russia did not declare victory in the Second Chechen War until 2009. “Chechnya, Russia and 20 years of Conflict,” Mansur Mirovalev, Al Jaazera (Dec. 11, 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/12/chechnya-russia-20-years-conflict-2014121161310580523.html

For an actual chronology of these conflicts, see, “Chechnya and Russia: timeline,” The Guardian (April 16, 2009). Retrieved at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/16/chechnya-russia-timeline

9

Background Information:

Boris Berezovsky was a controversial billionaire oligarch who got rich, as many did, by taking over industry during the privatization of the Russian economy shortly before and after the collapse of the USSR. He died under mysterious circumstances in 2013. Forbes Magazine believes that Berezovsky may have killed its editor Paul Klebnikov. “Did Boris Berezovsky Kill Himself? More Compelling, Did He Kill Forbes Editor Paul Klebnikov?” Richard Behar, Forbes (March 24, 2013). Retrieved at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardbehar/2013/03/24/did-boris-berezovsky-kill-himself-more-compelling-did-he-kill-forbes-editor-paul-klebnikov/#621359176729

10

Claim: “You’re credited with doing many fine things in your first term. Privatization was stopped. You built up industries—electronics, engineering, petrochemical, agriculture, and many others. A real son of Russia—you should be proud. You raised the GDP, you raised incomes, you reformed the army, you resolved the Chechen war.”

Supporting: According to London’s Guardian newspaper, Putin is favorably remembered by the Russian people for helping to “usher in an era of unprecedented prosperity… with real disposable income doubling between 1999 and 2006,” and with the GDP growing by a multiple of 2.7 from 2006 to 2014. “15 years of Vladimir Putin, 15 ways he has changed Russia and the World,” Alec Luhn (May 6, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/06/vladimir-putin-15-ways-he-changed-russia-world

11

Claim: “Immensely popular in 2004—you’re reelected with 70 percent of the vote.”

Supporting: Oliver Stone is correct that Putin won the 2004 Presidential election with about 70% of the popular vote. See, “Russia in 2004,” Elizabeth Teague, Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved at: https://www.britannica.com/place/Russia-Year-In-Review-2004

12

Background Information:

After first taking office in 1933 as America’s 32nd president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a Democrat, would eventually be elected to a record four terms in office. However, he was unable to fully complete his fourth term. Two years after his death, on March 21, 1947, Congress passed the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, stating that no person could be elected to the office of president more than twice. The amendment was ratified in 1951.

See, “FDR nominated for unprecedented third term,” History, Retrieved at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fdr-nominated-for-unprecedented-third-term

13

Claim: “I have to tell you that President Medvedev performed independently all his functions. There was this division of functions according to the Constitution. I never interfered within his domain.”

A clear division of functions does indeed exist between the president and prime minister positions in Russia. See, “FACTBOX: Russian president and prime minister: who does what?,” Reuters (May 7, 2008). Retrieved at: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-inauguration-president-duties-idUSL0718325420080507

However, the question remains how independent the Putin-Medvedev relationship actually was from 2008 to 2012, when Dmitry Medvedev served as President and Vladimir Putin served as Prime Minister. Western media consistently portrayed the two as friends, who at times experience tension regarding reforms proposed and implemented by President Medvedev, however, more specifically, western sources concurred that Prime Minister Putin was the one who called the shots in Russia. See, “Vladimir Putin Is Medvedev’s Friend – And Boss,” Dmitry Sidorov, Forbes (February, 23, 2009). Retrieved at: https://www.forbes.com/2009/02/23/russia-president-prime-minister-opinions-contributors_medvedev_putin.html

14

Background Information:

Dmitry Medvedev served as Russian President from 2008 to 2012, while also serving as Russian Prime Minister during Vladimir Putin’s terms as President. “Dmitry Medvedev, Fast Facts,” CNN (Aug. 30, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/26/world/europe/dmitry-medvedev---fast-facts/

15

Claim: “Five assassination attempts, I’m told. Not as much as Castro, whom I interviewed—I think he must have had 50—but there’s a legitimate 5 that I’ve heard about.”

Assassination attempts on Putin’s life are unclear and unverifiable. However, Cuban officials claim that the number of assassination attempts, also unverifiable, on Fidel Castro’s life reach upwards of 638. See, “Fidel Castro survived 600 assassination attempts, officials say,” Patrick Oppmann, CNN (November 26, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/12/americas/cuba-fidel-castro-at-90-after-assassination-plots/

16

Claim: “Libya, as a territorially integral state has ceased to exist.”

Supporting: It is well-recognized that Libya was destroyed as a country by the 2011 NATO intervention. See, “The US-NATO Invasion of Libya Destroyed the Country Beyond All Recognition,” Vijay Prishad, Alternet (March 22, 2017). Retrieved at: http://www.alternet.org/world/us-nato-invasion-libya-destroyed-country-beyond-all-recognition

17

Background Information:

Gaddafi, known as the “Brotherly Leader,” was a revolutionary who, at 27 years old led a coup to depose the monarch. For the next 42 years, he ruled Libya and implemented the strict fundamentals of Sunni Islam across his country. He was a staunch defender of his country and leadership, often leading his men into bloody battles, which were viewed by the rest of the world as erratic displays of showmanship. Ghaddafi survived many coup and assassination attempts until he was ultimately killed in 2011. See, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/world/africa/qaddafi-killed-as-hometown-falls-to-libyan-rebels.html

18

Background Information:

See, “Bush saw Putin’s ‘Soul.’ Obama Wanted to appeal to his Brain,” Steven Mufson, Washington Post (Dec. 1, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/bush-saw-putins-soul-obama-wants-to-appeal-to-his-brain/2015/12/01/264f0c7c-984b-11e5-8917-653b65c809eb_story.html.

19

Background Information:

See, “911 a ‘Turning Point’ for Putin,” Jill Dougherty, Washington Post (Sep. 10, 2002). Retrieved at: http://www.edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/09/10/ar911.russia.putin/index.html

20

Background Information:

It is also true, as Stone states, that Putin gave significant, concrete assistance to the US in its post-911 invasion of Afghanistan. Ibid.

21

Claim: “Al Qaeda is not the result of our activities. It’s the result of the activities of our American friends.”

Supporting: See, “Frankenstein The CIA Created,” Jason Burke, Guardian (Jan. 17, 1999). Retrieved at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/jan/17/yemen.islam

22

Claim: “Although Bill Casey, Director of the CIA under Ronald Reagan, made it a special effort—this is documented—to excite the Muslims in the Caucasus in Central Asia against the Soviet Union.”

Supporting: See, “Ghost Wars: How Reagan Armed the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan,” Steve Coll & Amy Goodman, Democracy Now! (June 10, 2004). Retrieved at: https://www.democracynow.org/2004/6/10/ghost_wars_how_reagan_armed_the

23

Claim: “And when those problems in the Caucasus and Chechnya emerged, unfortunately the Americans supported those processes.”

Supporting: See, “Chechen Terrorists and the Neocons,” former FBI agent Coleen Rowley, Consortium News (April 19, 2013). Retrieved at: https://consortiumnews.com/2013/04/19/chechen-terrorists-and-the-neocons/

24

Background Information:

The letter from the CIA to Putin about the former’s possible support for rebels in Chechnya is referenced in the article: “Chechnya, the CIA and Terrorism,” Michael S. Rozeff, Russia Insider (April 28, 2015). Retrieved at:

http://russia-insider.com/en/chechnya-cia-and-terrorism/6179

25

Background Information:

“In Afghanistan, Taliban surpasses al-Qaeda,” Joshua Partlow, Washington Post (Nov. 11, 2009). Retrieved at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/10/AR2009111019644.html

26

Claim: “OS: Do you have any belief that the United States was involved in any way supporting the Chechens in the first or second war?

VP: Yes. We’re 100 percent sure that we have objective proof of that.”

Supporting: See, “Chechen Terrorists and the Neocons,” Ibid.

27

Background Information:

See, “Miscalculations Paved Path to Chechen War,” David Hoffman, Washington Post (March 20, 2000). Retrieved at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2000/03/20/miscalculations-paved-path-to-chechen-war/e675f17a-d286-4b5e-b33a-708d819d43f0/?utm_term=.2549af78ab19 Hoffman explains that “[o]n the Chechen side, rebel leaders launched an attack against neighboring Dagestan last August in the mistaken belief that they would encounter weak Russian resistance and spark an Islamic uprising. The uprising didn’t materialize, and the incursions were repelled.”

28

Claim: “Moreover, we had exact data that there were no WMDs whatsoever in Iraq”

Supporting: It is true, as Putin claims, that the Russia’s assessment, which it shared with the US at the time, was that Iraq possessed no Weapons of Mass Destruction to justify the 2003 military invasion. As Newsweek explained, “[p]lenty of the best-informed intelligence sources were certain the WMDs were a fantasy. French intelligence knew it; so did Russia and Germany.” “Dick Cheney’s Biggest Lie,” Kurt Eichenwald, Newsweek (May 19, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.newsweek.com/2015/05/29/dick-cheneys-biggest-lie-333097.html

29

Claim: “OS: …there was a deal with the Soviet Union not to expand NATO eastward.

VP: They were all saying there was one thing that the Soviet Union could be sure of—that the eastern border of NATO would not be extended any further than the eastern border of the German Democratic Republic.

OS: So this was a clear violation.”

Supporting: “Russia’s Got a Point: The US Broke a NATO Promise,” Joshua R. Itzkowitz Shifrinson, LA Times (May 30, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-shifrinson-russia-us-nato-deal--20160530-snap-story.html

30

Background Information

See, “US Withdraws From ABM Treaty; Global Response Muted,” Wade Boese, Arms Control Association (July/August 2002). Retrieved at: https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2002_07-08/abmjul_aug02

31

Background Information:

“Bush Pulls Out of ABM Treaty; Putin Calls Move a Mistake,” Terence Neilen, New York Times (Dec. 31, 2001). Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/13/international/bush-pulls-out-of-abm-treaty-putin-calls-move-a-mistake.html

32

Background Information:

“Putin Warns Romania, Poland Over Implementing US missile Shield,” Fox News (May 28, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/05/28/putin-warns-romania-poland-over-implementing-us-missile-shield.html

33

Background Information:

As tension from the Cold War peaked, and paranoia of Communism spread throughout America grew, husband and wife Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, former members of the Communist party, were sentenced to death under the Espionage Act of 1917 for suspicion of sending nuclear information from the United States to Russia. Despite public outcry and demand for their clemency, both Presidents Truman and Eisenhower refused to pardon them. Until their last days at Sing-Sing Prison in New York, the couple maintained their innocence. They were executed by electric chair on June 19, 1953. See, http://www.coldwar.org/articles/50s/TheRosenbergTrial.asp

34

Background Information:

For more on the fascinating story of Klaus Fuchs who shared atomic secrets with the Soviet Union out of his ideological commitment to Communism, see, the description in PBS’s “American Experience,” at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh//amex/bomb/peopleevents/pandeAMEX54.html

35

Background Information:

See, “Putin’s Prepared Remarks at 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy,” Washington Post (Feb. 12, 2007). Retrieved at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/12/AR2007021200555.html

36

Background Information:

See, generally, Pauwels, Jacques R. The Myth of the Good War: America in the Second World War (Lorimer, 2016).

37

Background Information:

See, generally, Price, David. Base Nation: How US Military Bases Abroad Harm America and the World (American Empire Project). (Metropolitan Books, 2015).

38

Background Information:

See, “The United States Shares the Blame for the Russia-Georgia Crisis,” Paul J. Saunders, US News & World Reports (Aug. 12, 2008). Retrieved at: https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2008/08/12/the-united-states-shares-the-blame-for-the-russia-georgia-crisis

39

Claim: “Not exactly—yes and no. We were surprised when we saw that the aggression by President Saakashvili was not just supported by Bush. They tried to paint the picture saying that Russia was the aggressor, when it was quite evident that it was Saakashvili who decided to launch the aggression.”

Supporting: See, “The United States Shares the Blame for the Russia-Georgia Crisis,” Paul J. Saunders, US News & World Reports (Aug. 12, 2008). Retrieved at: https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2008/08/12/the-united-states-shares-the-blame-for-the-russia-georgia-crisis

40

Correction:

Edward Snowden’s passport was annulled before he left Hong Kong for Russia. See, “AP Source: NSA leaker Snowden’s passport revoked,” Mathew V. Lee, US World & News Report (June 23, 2013). Retrieved at: https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2013/06/23/ap-source-nsa-leaker-snowdens-passport-revoked

41

Claim: “And that also would have stipulated it for mutual extradition of criminals, but the United States refused to cooperate with us.”

Supporting: For a good explanation of why the US and Russia do not have an extradition treaty, see, “3 Extradition Cases That Help Explain US-Russia Relations,” Eyder Peralta, NPR (Aug. 7, 2013). Retrieved at: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/08/07/209846990/3-extradition-cases-that-help-explain-u-s-russia-relations. In addition to a Russian defector, the article explains that the US had refused to extradite a Chechen terrorist and Nazi War Criminal accused of running a death camp to Russia despite the latter’s requests.

42

Background Information:

For more information on the huge amount of information the NSA collects on Americans, see, “FAQ: What you Need to Know about the NSA’s Surveillance Programs,” Jonathan Stray, Propublica (Aug. 5, 2013). Retrieved at: https://www.propublica.org/article/nsa-data-collection-faq

43

“AP Source: NSA leaker Snowden’s passport revoked,” Ibid.

44

Background Information:

The US infuriated Bolivia by forcing the presidential plane of President Evo Morales to land because it wrongly suspected Morales of carrying Snowden upon the plane. See, “Bolivia: Presidential plane forced to land after false rumors of Snowden aboard,” Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN (July 23, 2013). Retrieved at: http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/02/world/americas/bolivia-presidential-plane/

45

Background Information:

See, “Congress Passes NSA surveillance reform in vindication for Snowden, Bulk collection of Americans’ phone records to end as US Senate passes USA Freedom Act” Sabrina Siddiqui, The Guardian (June 3, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/02/congress-surveillance-reform-edward-snowden

46

Claim: “President Yanukovych said he had to postpone the signing of the association agreement with the European Union. That was the starting point. And our partners in Europe and the United States managed to mount this horse of discontent of the people. And instead of trying to find out what was really happening, they decided to support the coup d’état.”

Supporting: For a good explanation of how the US helped stoke violence and chaos in Ukraine and helped to bring about the 2014 coup d’état, see, “Chronology of the Ukraine Coup,” Renee Parsons, Counterpunch (March 5, 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/03/05/chronology-of-the-ukrainian-coup/

47

Background Information:

Ibid.

48

Background Information:

In provocative move, Ukraine government banned Russian as a second language. See, Ukraine Crisis: Timeline, BBC (Nov. 13, 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26248275

49

Background Information:

See, “Ukraine’s sharp divisions,” BBC, (April 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26387353

50

Background Information:

For good explanation on how and why the uprising in Donbass against the new, coup government began, see, “It’s not Russia that pushed Ukraine to the brink of War,” Seumus Milne, The Guardian (April 30, 2014). See, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/30/russia-ukraine-war-kiev-conflict

51

Background Information:

The “Odessa tragedy” that Putin refers to was the massacre of 42 individuals, among them 32 pro-Russian protesters, in the Trade Unions House in Odessa in 2014, see, “Ukraine crisis: death by fire in Odessa as country suffers bloodiest day since the revolution,” Roland Oliphant, The Telegraph (May 3, 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10806656/Ukraine-crisis-death-by-fire-in-Odessa-as-country-suffers-bloodiest-day-since-the-revolution.html

52

Background Information:

Putin is correct that thousands have died as a result of hostilities in the Donbass. According to the United Nations, as of December of 2016, approximately 2,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict in the Donbass region of Ukraine, with another 6,000 to 7,0000 injured, while the total dead, including soldiers reached nearly 10,000. See, http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=55750#.WRxo1JIrLcs

53

Background Information:

For more on the contours of the Minsk Agreements that Putin references, see, “What are the Minsk Agreements,” N.S., The Economist (Sept. 14, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2016/09/economist-explains-7

54

Claim: “…the economy and the social sphere of Donbass have to be restored. But instead the authorities are strengthening the blockade of these territories.”

Supporting: Putin is correct about the blockade of the Donbass by the central government and the resulting suffering. Indeed, UNICEF reports that, due to the blockade of the Donbass region of Ukraine, one million children are at risk of starvation. UNICEF’s position is that the Minsk Agreements must be complied with to stop the war and this humanitarian disaster. See, https://www.unicef.org/media/media_94886.html

55

Background Information:

See, https://www.unicef.org/media/media_94886.html

56

Background Information:

Putin is exactly correct when he says that 2.5 million Ukrainians have fled to Russia since the 2014 coup. See, “Obama’s Ukrainian Coup Triggered the Influx of 2.5 Million Ukrainian Refugees into Russia,” Eric Zuesse, Global Research (Mar. 12, 2017). Retrieved at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/obamas-ukrainian-coup-triggered-the-influx-of-2-5-million-ukrainian-refugees-into-russia/5579719

57

Background Information:

The numbers here are not fully clear in terms of relationship among areas defined and: 1. Ukrainian citizens in Russia; 2. number of citizens who used to live in the territories, and; 3. number of people remaining. As cited earlier, two and a half million Ukrainian refugees did indeed go to Russia. And as noted by a OHCHR report, three million people live in the areas directly affected by the conflict.”

See, “Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 16 November 2015 to 15 February 2016,” Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (March 3, 2016). http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/Ukraine_13th_HRMMU_Report_3March2016.pdf

58

Claim: “People came, the turnout was more than 90 percent. And more than 90 percent voted in favor of re-unifying with Russia.”

Supporting: Putin is correct that well over 90% of the Crimeans who went to the polls voted to leave Ukraine and join Russia. See, “Crimeans vote over 90 percent to quit Ukraine and join Russia,” Mike Collett-White and Ronald Popeski, Reuters (Mar. 16, 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140316

59

Background Information:

Putin here is referring to Article 1, Section 2 of the UN Charter which reads, “To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace.” Similarly, Article I, Section 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a binding human rights instrument, provides: “All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.” As Putin indicates, this right to self-determination is not dependent on the will of the central government of any state.

60

Claim: “I was always wondering if Kosovars were allowed to do it, why is that not allowed to Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, and Crimeans? There is no difference whatsoever.”

Supporting: Others have, as Putin, made the comparison of the Crimean referendum to join Russia, which the US opposed, to the Kosovar referendum to secede from Serbia, which the US pushed for the point of war. See, “From Kosovo to Crimea: Obama’s Strange Position on Referendums,” Brian Cloughley, Counterpunch (July 17, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/07/17/from-kosovo-to-crimea-obamas-strange-position-on-referendums/

61

Claim: “OS: Was there any UN condemnation of the annexation of Crimea?

VP: No, I don’t know anything of that.”

Contradicting: In truth, contrary to Putin’s stated recollection, the UN General Assembly did declare the Crimean referendum on secession invalid, and the UN General Assembly Human Rights Committee went so far as to condemn the annexation of Crimea by Russia. See, http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47443#.WRyU3JIrLcs; http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/844707/un-committee-votes-to-condemn-russian-occupation-of-crimea

62

Claim: “There are two principal versions. The first version is that this plane was shot down by the Buk air defense system of the Ukrainian armed forces. And the second version is that the same system, the same system of arms—the Buk systems are produced in Russia—was employed by the militia, the separatists.”

For a discussion of the different theories as to who (whether the Ukrainian government by another plane or Russian separatists by ground-to-air projectile) may have shot down Malaysian Air Lines, Flight 17 over the Russia/Ukraine border, see, “MH17 prosecutor open to theory another plane shot down airliner,” Chicago Tribune (2017). Retrieved at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/81796669-157.html

63

Claim: “Now as to the aircraft, the planes which were in the air—as far as I know, right away after this terrible catastrophe, one of the Ukrainian air controllers, I think he was a specialist originating from Spain, announced that he had seen a military aircraft in the corridor assigned for civil aircraft.”

Supporting: For more on the downing on the MH17 flight, and in particular about the Spanish air traffic controller in Kiev mentioned by Putin, see, “MH17 Verdict: Real Evidence Points to US-Kiev Cover-up of Failed False Flag,” 21st Century Wire (July 25, 2014). Retrieved at: http://21stcenturywire.com/2014/07/25/mh17-verdict-real-evidence-points-to-us-kiev-cover-up-of-failed-false-flag-attack/

64

Background Information:

While many conspiracy theories abound in regard to George Soros’ role in Ukraine, even the well-respected Financial Times acknowledges his significant investment in Ukraine since 1990 and his open partisanship in favor of the current government in Kiev during the current crisis between Ukraine and Russia. See, “Save Ukraine to Counter Russia, Says Soros,” Christian Oliver (Jan. 7, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.ft.com/content/4ddfb410-9664-11e4-a40b-00144feabdc0

65

Background Information:

Former Georgian President, Mikheil Sakashvili, who studied law in the United States, served as the Governor of Odessa from May of 2015 until his resignation in November of 2016. See, “Georgian Saakashvili quits as Ukraine Odessa governor,” BBC (Nov. 7, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37895588

66

Claim: “Yanukovych didn’t give an order to use weapons against civilians”

Supporting: Then Ukrainian President, Victor Yanukovych, later claimed that he regretted the bloodshed during the 2014 uprising, but that, as Putin claims, he never ordered weapons to be fired on demonstrators. See, “Ukraine crisis: Yanukovych regrets bloodshed in Kiev,” Gabriel Gatehouse, BBC (June 22, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33224138

67

Claim: “But I have to say that the so-called protestors were very aggressive.”

Supporting: For detail on the violence perpetrated particularly by far-right anti-government protesters in Ukraine in 2014, see, “The Ukrainian Nationalism at the Heart of ‘Euromaidan’ Coverage focused on the call for European integration has largely glossed over the rise in nationalist rhetoric that has led to violence,” Alec Luhn, The Nation (Jan. 21, 2014). Retrieved at: https://www.thenation.com/article/ukrainian-nationalism-heart-euromaidan/

68

Background Information

See, “Profile: Ukraine’s ultra-nationalist Right Sector,” BBC (April 28, 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27173857

69

Claim: “OS: I see. Have you heard of the Azov battalion?

VP: Yes, certainly. There are certain armed formations which are not accountable to anyone, nor are they accountable to the central authorities in Kiev. I believe that is one of the reasons why the current leadership right now cannot put an end to these hostilities. That is simply because they are frightened that these uncontrollable armed forces will return to the capital.”

Supporting: There is no dispute about the nature of the Azov battalion as a violent, neo-Nazi military organization. Indeed, Congress was so alarmed by this battalion, and the US support for it, that it passed legislation banning the US from funding and training this battalion. Incredibly, this ban was later repealed. See, “US Lifts Ban on Funding ‘Neo-Nazi’ Ukrainian Militia,” Sam Sokol, Jerusalem Post (Jan. 18, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/US-lifts-ban-on-funding-neo-Nazi-Ukrainian-militia-441884

70

Background Information:

Putin is indeed correct that John Kerry, as Senator, was highly critical of Reagan’s proposed “Star Wars” missile defense program, calling it a “cancer on our nation.” See, “Kerry Says Star Wars ‘Based on Illusion,’” Lawrence L. Knutson, Associated Press (June 4, 1985). Retrieved at: http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1985/Kerry-Says-Star-Wars-Based-on-Illusion-/id-959d3c5dace13d1264c5c18833522d2e

71

Background Information:

It appears that it was the Johnson Administration that first floated the idea with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to engage in joint talks about limitations on Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) systems, though this idea had been in consideration for years by the United States, including in the Kennedy Administration. See, “Cold War International History Conference: Paper by David S. Patterson” (1998). Retrieved at: https://www.archives.gov/research/foreign-policy/cold-war/conference/patterson.html

72

Background Information:

Indeed, there is evidence that Khrushchev’s decision to place missiles in Cuba was a predictable result of the US’s stationing of Jupiter missiles in Italy and Turkey—a provocative move which seemed aimed at giving the US first strike capability against the USSR. As an article in The Atlantic explains:

“The Jupiter’s’ destabilizing effect was widely recognized among defense experts within and outside the US government and even by congressional leaders. For instance, Senator Albert Gore Sr., an ally of the administration, told Secretary of State Dean Rusk that they were a “provocation” in a closed session of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in February 1961 (more than a year and a half before the missile crisis), adding, “I wonder what our attitude would be” if the Soviets deployed nuclear-armed missiles to Cuba. Senator Claiborne Pell raised an identical argument in a memo passed on to Kennedy in May 1961.

Given America’s powerful nuclear superiority, as well as the deployment of the Jupiter missiles, Moscow suspected that Washington viewed a nuclear first strike as an attractive option. They were right to be suspicious. The archives reveal that in fact the Kennedy administration had strongly considered this option during the Berlin crisis in 1961.”

See, “The Real Cuban Missile Crisis,” Benjamin Schwarz, The Atlantic (Jan/Feb. 2013). Retrieved at: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/01/the-real-cuban-missile-crisis/309190/

73

Background Information:

Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999), American film director, screenwriter, and producer regarded as one of the most influential directors in modern cinema. Most notable films: The Shining; 2001: A Space Odyssey; A Clockwork Orange; Dr. Strangelove; and Full Metal Jacket, which examines the dehumanizing effects of the Vietnam War on soldiers. The film was released just one year after Oliver Stone’s Platoon. See, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000040/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

Kubrick’s 1964 film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb satirizes Cold War hysteria over nuclear conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. See, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057012

74

Background Information:

See, “The Real Cuban Missile Crisis,” Ibid.

75

Background Information:

See, “Hillary, Putin’s No Hitler,” Timothy Stanley, CNN (March 5, 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/05/opinion/stanley-hillary-clinton-hitler/

76

Background Information:

It is true, as Stone states, that General Curtis LeMay was a proponent of striking the USSR and beginning WWIII while the Soviet Union was still relatively weak. See, “Waiting for WWIII,” Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker (Oct. 16, 2012). Retrieved at: http://www.newyorker.com/books/double-take/waiting-for-world-war-iii

77

Background Information:

Oliver Stone is here referring to the alternative account of the killing of Osama bin Laden by Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, Seymour M. Hersh, entitled, The Killing of Osama Bin Laden (Verso 2016).

78

Background Information:

For a detailed account of the economic and social disaster which followed the collapse of the USSR—a disaster even greater than that of the US’s Great Depression – see, Cohen, Stephen F. Soviet Fates and Lost Alternatives (Columbia University Press 2011).

79

Background Information:

The four parties represented in the Russian Parliament which Putin refers to are: Putin’s United Russia Party, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and A Just Russia. See, “Russia Parliament Elections: How the Parties Line Up,” BBC (March 6, 2012). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-15939801

80

Background Information:

Of course, this just happened again in 2016 with Donald J. Trump losing the popular vote but winning the Electoral College vote and therefore the Presidency.

81

Claim: “Now concerning the rights of sexual minorities. During the Soviet times, there was a criminal responsibility for homosexuals, and right now there is none. We eliminated that part of the criminal code back in the 1990s.”

For an explanation of Russia’s legal policies towards the LBGT community and their impact on that community, see, “Russia’s Mixed Messages on LGBT,” Stephen Ennis, BBC (April 29, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36132060. The article explains that, as of the date of its publication, no member of the LGBT community had actually been imprisoned in Russia under the newly-passed law forbidding “homosexual propaganda.”

82

Background Information:

Putin appears to be referring here to the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision legalizing gay marriage in all 50 states. This was a 5-4 decision in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 US __ (2015). In truth, the Supreme Court had invalidated all state laws criminalizing homosexual activity 12 years sooner in the case of Lawrence v. Texas, 539 US 558 (2003).

83

Background Information:

The “gay propaganda law” was signed into law by President Putin on June 30, 2013. While the stated purpose is to protect children from homosexual content, activists counter that the law is used against the LGBT community in general. See, “Russia: Court Rules Against LGBT Activist,” Human Rights Watch (February 3, 2016). Retrieved at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/02/03/russia-court-rules-against-lgbt-activist

84

Claim: “So I was very much surprised to hear criticism from the United States, because some legislation in the United States provides criminal responsibility for homosexuals.”

Contradicting: As indicated above in fn. 82, Putin is in fact incorrect that homosexual activity is still criminalized in the US. Such criminalization, while lasting into this century, was finally ended with the Supreme Court’s 2003 decision in Lawrence v. Texas.

85

Background Information:

Putin is right on the money in terms of his estimate that Muslims make up about 12% of the Russian population, and shall make up about 20% by the year 2030. He is also correct that the absolute number of Muslims in Russia continues to grow, and indeed to far outpace the general population growth in Russia. Indeed, contrary to Putin’s claims, the overall population of Russia is actually in decline. See, “Russia’s Growing Muslim Population,” Strafor Enterprises (Aug. 8, 2013). Retrieved at: https://www.stratfor.com/image/russias-growing-muslim-population

86

Ibid.

87

Background Information:

Putin is correct that Russia signed the Kyoto Protocol which the US was one of the few countries in the world that refused to sign. See, “The Only Nations That Haven’t Signed 1997’s Global Climate Treaty are Afghanistan, Sudan & the USA,” Brian Merchant, Treehugger.com (Nov. 28, 2011). Retrieved at: https://www.treehugger.com/climate-change/only-nations-havent-signed-1997s-global-climate-treaty-are-afghanistan-us.html

88

Background Information:

Putin’s estimate of the US National Debt is right on. It is now at around $19 trillion and growing, and amounts to 102% of GDP. See, “5 Things Most People Don’t Understand About The National Debt,” Taylor Tepper, Time (April 22, 2016). Retrieved at: http://time.com/money/4293910/national-debt-investors/

89

Background Information:

Putin’s estimate of Russia’s debt ratio is a bit low, but still, he is not far off. At present, Russia’s national debt amounts to about 15% of GDP. See, https://debtclock.tv/world/russia/

90

Correction:

Oliver Stone actually greatly overestimates Russia’s National Debt which is only $150 billion (and not $1 trillion). Ibid.

91

Background Information:

Putin is optimistic about the strength and stability of the Russian economy, however, oil prices in 2016 dropped well below the $50 per barrel level that had been assumed for government planning. At $30 per barrel, the Finance Ministry had to begin considering different scenarios for 2016. See, “Moody’s Warns Russian Deficiit Goal in Doubt as Oil Jolts Budget,” Anna Andrianova, Bloomberg (February 12, 2016). Retrieved at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-12/moody-s-warns-russian-deficit-goal-in-doubt-as-oil-jolts-budget

92

Claim: “You’re paying, what is it, 83 percent of the Chechnyan budget?”

Supporting: Oliver Stone is quite correct that Russia is providing over 80%, and up to 90%, of Chechnya’s budget. “Russian Anger Grows Over Chechnya Subsidies,” Michael Schwirtz, New York Times (Oct. 8, 2011). Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/world/europe/chechnyas-costs-stir-anger-as-russia-approaches-elections.html

93

Claim: “OS: Well, worker unrest is an issue. People haven’t been paid in some regions. A great amount has been written about it in the West. People have not been paid sometimes one, two, three months.

VP: Well, there are these technical issues related to the arrears in payment—paying the salary, but it’s minimum. There are no real problems with paying the salary. There are only issues related to irresponsibility, to negligence, to making decision too late, but economically and from the point of view of the budget, there are no problems whatsoever.”

Contradicting: It does appear, as Oliver Stone relates, and contrary to what Putin says, that there is a problem with some workers not getting paid in Russia. See, “Unpaid Workers Unite in Protest Against Putin,” Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times (April 21, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/22/world/europe/russian-workers-take-aim-at-putin-as-economy-exacts-its-toll.html?_r=0

94

Background Information:

It is true that Russia has quite recently received very high praise from the IMF for its economic policies. See, “Russia’s economy moves back to positive zone of growth – IMF Chief,” Tass News Agency (April 17, 2017). Retrieved at: http://tass.com/economy/941775

95

Background Information

For a good description of the origins of the war in the Caucasus, see,

“Chechnya, Russia and 20 years of Conflict,” Ibid.

“Miscalculations Paved Path to Chechen War,” Ibid.

96

Background Information:

It is true, as Putin claims, that both the IMF and World Bank eventually decided to give loans to Russia based upon the humanitarian issues related to the war in Chechnya. See, Retrieved at: “Chechnya Conflict: Recent Developments,” CRS Report for Congress (May 3, 2000). https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=451457. It is also true, as Putin claims, that it is generally the case that the IMF does not generally take political/human rights issues into account in deciding whether to give loans. “Russia: Partisan War in Chechnya On the Eve of WWII Commemoration,” Human Rights Watch (May, 1995). Retrieved at: https://www.hrw.org/reports/1995/Russiaa.htm

97

Background Information:

It is undisputed that Russia has paid off all of the debts of the former Soviet Union as Putin claims. See, “Russia to pay off Soviet debt with $125 mln for Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Reuters (March 21, 2017). Retrieved at: http://www.reuters.com/article/russia-bosnia-debt-idUSR4N1F102X

98

Background Information:

For full transcript of Putin’s 2007 speech in Munich, See, “Putin’s Prepared Remarks at 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy,” Ibid.

99

Background Information:

So many US military leaders have referred to Russia as the number one threat to the US that it’s hard to know who Putin is referring to here. In any case, Retired General James “Mad Dog” Mattis, now Secretary of Defense, has recently reiterated this claim. See, “Trump’s Pentagon nominee says Russia is No. 1 security threat to US,” Associated Press (Jan. 12, 2017). Retrieved at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pompeo-mattis-confirmation-hearings-1.3932152

100

Background Information:

It is true, as Oliver Stone claims, that Obama quadrupled US military spending for Europe, and that this increase was largely directed towards Eastern Europe. See, “US ‘to quadruple defense budget for Europe,’” BBC (Feb. 2, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35476180

101

Ibid.

102

Claim: “Further escalation is already happening because the United States is deploying its antiballistic missile system in Eastern Europe and we on many occasions proposed real variants, real scenarios for cooperation.”

See, “US Withdraws From ABM Treaty; Global Response Muted,” Ibid.

103

Background Information:

It is true, as Putin claims, that the US has rejected both Russia’s and China’s proposals to ban the militarization of space. “US Opposes New Draft Treaty from China and Russia Banning Space Weapons,” Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon (June 19, 2014). Retrieved at: http://freebeacon.com/national-security/u-s-opposes-new-draft-treaty-from-china-and-russia-banning-space-weapons/

104

Background Information

As Putin alludes, he and Obama worked together to finalize a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear capability. See, “Barack Obama Praises Putin for help clinching Iran deal,” Roland Oliphant, The Telegraph (July 15, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/11740700/Barack-Obama-praises-Putin-for-help-clinching-Iran-deal.html

105

Claim: “And this year, in 2016, the US is going to allocate more than $600 billion US dollars to defense. It’s just too much—more than the total defense expenditure of all the other countries of the world.”

The numbers don’t add up: US military budget is indeed six hundred billion dollars, but this is much less than the total amount of defense spending by the rest of the world combined. See, “Here’s how US defense spending stacks up against the rest of the world,” John W. Schoen, CNBC (May 2, 2017). Retrieved at: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/02/how-us-defense-spending-stacks-up-against-the-rest-of-the-world.html

106

Background Information:

It is true as Oliver Stone claims, that Charles de Gaulle pulled France out of NATO in 1967. France would return decades later. See, “1967: De Gaulle pulls France out of NATO’s integrated military structure,” Dr. Jamie Shea, NATO (March 3, 2009) Retrieved at: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_139272.htm

107

Background Information:

For a good description of how US NGOs, as well as the US government, interfered in Ukraine and helped bring about the 2014 coup, see, “Brokering Power: US Role in Ukraine Coup Hard to Overlook,” RTNews (Feb. 19, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.rt.com/news/233439-us-meddling-ukraine-crisis/

108

Claim: “All suspicions on that account were never justified—there was no evidence. And yet there were suspicions. And to alleviate those suspicions, Iran agreed to this nuclear deal, signed an accord, I believe in order to normalize its relations with the United States, with other countries of the world, which were expressing their concerns on that matter.”

See, “Barack Obama Praises Putin for help clinching Iran deal,” Ibid.

109

Background Information:

See, “Russia’s Ultimate Lethal Weapon,” Pepe Escobar, Counterpunch (September 18, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/09/18/russias-ultimate-lethal-weapon/

110

Background Information:

Tsar Alexander III (reigned from March 12, 1881 – November 1, 1894) with his wife Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna (Princess Dagmar of Denmark) See, http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/mariabio.html

111

Background Information:

Charlie Rose interview, (September 29, 2015) https://charlierose.com/videos/22696

112

Background Information: “And it was sent out that he understands well many problems that the country is facing, and he is not just willing to engage in a dialogue with the opposition groups—even the armed opposition—but he’s willing to work together with them to elaborate a new constitution.”

See, “Assad says he can form new Syria government with opposition,” Jack Stubbs and Lisa Barrington, Reuters (March 31, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idUSKCN0WW1YO

113

Background Information:

See, “4.5mn Russian tourists won’t visit Turkey this year,” RT (January15, 2016). Retrieved at: https://www.rt.com/business/329075-turkey-lose-russian-tourists/

114

Background Information:

Turkish construction companies are heavily invested in Russia, having been awarded a wide variety of projects from shopping malls to facilities for the Sochi Olympics. See, “Why Turkey Aims for ‘Zero Problems’ With Russia’s War in Syria,” Behlul Ozkan, Huffington Post. Retrieved at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/behlal-azkan/turkey-russia-syria_b_8265848.html

115

Background Information:

Turkey was G20 Chair in 2015 in the resort city of Antalya on 15-16 November 2015. “G20 is the premier platform for international economic cooperation. G20 was born out of the necessity to develop joint responses against challenges brought by economic crises of 1997, and 1998. First meeting of G20 countries was held in 1999 at the level of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.” http://www.mfa.gov.tr/g-20-en.en.mfa

116

Correction: “And when out of the blue a Russian plane was downed, at that approach of the Syrian-Turkish border it didn’t even come up during our discussions.”

President Putin incorrectly recalled the timeline of events leading up to the G20 Summit since it was held in Antalya, Turkey on November 15-16, 2015, whereas the Russian plane was shot down on November 24, 2015.

117

Background Information:

Oliver Stone asks in what month of 2015 did Russia enter Syria militarily, and Putin replies that he is uncertain of the month, but believes that it was in the summer. The fact is that Russia sent troops to Syria in early September 2015. See, “Exclusive: Russian troops join combat in Syria – sources,” Gabriela Baczynska, Tom Perry, Laila Bassam, Phil Stewart, Reuters (September 10, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-exclusive-idUSKCN0R91H720150910

118

Claim: “I think it was Israel’s defense minister and Greece’s defense minister publicly said that they were seeing that radical groups were supplying oil to the Turkish territory.”

Supporting: See, “Israeli defense minister accuses Turkey of buying IS oil,” BBC (January 26, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35415956

119

Background Information:

It’s true as Oliver Stone claims that John Kerry accused Russia of “targeting legitimate opposition groups,” See, “John Kerry condemns Russia’s ‘repeated aggression’ in Syria and Ukraine” The Guardian (February 13, 2016). Retrieved at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/13/john-kerry-condemns-russias-repeated-aggression-in-syria-and-ukraine

120

Claim: “ As in Kunduz where American planes hit a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders.”

Supporting:

See, “US military struggles to explain how it wound up bombing Doctors Without Borders hospital,” Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Washington Post (October 5, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/10/05/afghan-forces-requested-airstrike-that-hit-hospital-in-kunduz/

121

Claim: Oliver Stone points out that the Chinese embassy was bombed by the West.

Supporting: See, “Nato bombed Chinese embassy deliberately,” John Sweeney, Jens Holsoe and Ed Vulliamy, The Guardian (October 16, 1999). Retrieved at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/oct/17/balkans

122

Claim: Oliver Stone asks about a Russian SU40 plane that was shot down by a Turkish F-16. Putin corrects him that it was a Russian SU24 that was shot down, but also says that the pilots were shot at.

Supporting: See, “Turkey shooting down plane was ‘planned provocation’ says Russia, as rescued pilot claims he had no warning – latest,” Isabelle Fraser and Raziye Akkoc, The Telegraph (November 26, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/12015465/Turkey-shoots-down-Russia-jet-live.html

123

Background Information:

Russia did indeed inform the American military before their planes took to the air. See, “US Agrees With Russia on Rules in Syrian Sky,” Neil MacFarquhar, the New York Times (October 20, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/world/middleeast/us-and-russia-agree-to-regulate-all-flights-over-syria.html

124

Claim: Putin says that Russia is operating in Syria at the invitation of the Syrian government and thus, legitimately.

Supporting: “Russia Begins Airstrikes In Syria After Assad’s Request,” Bill Chappell, NPR (September 30, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/09/30/444679327/russia-begins-conducting-airstrikes-in-syria-at-assads-request

125

Claim: Putin cites 70 to 120 airstrikes per day by Russian planes in Syria, compared to only three to five per day by the international coalition led by the United States.

The numbers vary over time, but appear to be in the ballpark. See, “Russia Is Launching Twice as Many Airstrikes as the US in Syria” David Axe,” The Daily Beast (February 16, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/23/russia-is-launching-twice-as-many-airstrikes-as-the-u-s-in-syria

126

Correction: 120 times per day for 60 days is 7,200 airstrikes.

127

Claim: “The projected number of terrorists participating in ISIS is estimated at 80,000. 30,000 of them are foreign mercenaries from 80 countries of the world.”

The estimated number of ISIS terrorists range according to source, from 20-30,000, and from 80-100,000. As per, Putin’s estimate, see, “Russian Intel: ISIS Has 80,000 Jihadis in Iraq and Syria,” Jordan Schachtel, Breitbart (November 11, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/11/11/russian-intel-isis-80000-jihadis-iraq-syria/

Regarding foreign mercenaries in ISIS, see: “Thousands Enter Syria to Join ISIS Despite Global Efforts,” Eric Schmitt, Somini Sengupta, September 26, 2015. Retrieved at: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/world/middleeast/thousands-enter-syria-to-join-isis-despite-global-efforts.html?_r=0

128

Background Information:

Robert McNamara was, according to the New York Times “the forceful and cerebral defense secretary who helped lead the nation into the maelstrom of Vietnam and spent the rest of his life wrestling with the war’s moral consequences.” and “the most influential defense secretary of the 20th century. Serving Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson from 1961 to 1968.” See, “Robert S. McNamara, Architect of a Futile War, Dies at 93,” Tim Weiner, (July 6, 2009). Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/us/07mcnamara.html?pagewanted=all

129

Correction: According to the House of Saud official website, King Abdulaziz, founder of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, never traveled beyond the Arab world.

See, http://houseofsaud.com/saudi-royal-family-history/

130

Claim: “There was a great danger of a war erupting and I believe that back then President Obama made the right decision. And he and I managed to agree on coordinated actions”

President Obama was widely criticized for making the decision not to attack Syria after the nerve agent sarin was used on a Damascus suburb. However, there was also support for the president showing restraint. See, “When Putin Bailed Out Obama,” former CIA analyst Ray McGovern, Consortium News (August 31, 2016). Retrieved at: https://consortiumnews.com/2016/08/31/when-putin-bailed-out-obama/

131

Background Information:

See, “Russia Expands Sanctions Against Turkey After Downing of Jet,” Andrew E. Kramer, the New York Times (December 30, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/31/world/europe/russia-putin-turkey-sanctions.html

132

Background Information:

“So you have double sanctions—you have sanctions against Turkey and the US sanctions against you.” See, “US Imposes Sanctions Over Russia’s Intervention in Ukraine,” Julie Hirshchfeld Davis, the New York Times (December 22, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/23/world/europe/us-russia-ukraine-sanctions.html

133

Claim: “Dick Cheney, vice president—said in his meeting we… about the Middle East and the Near East being the “keys to the kingdom.”

Unverifiable claim.

134

Background Information:

Quote attributed to Sheikh Zaki Yamani, Saudi Arabian Oil Minister from 1962 to 1986. “The Stone Age did not end for lack of stone, and the Oil Age will end long before the world runs out of oil.” See, “The end of the Oil Age” The Economist (October 23, 2003). Retrieved at: http://www.economist.com/node/2155717

135

Claim: “it was not our initiative that back in 2014, NATO stopped all contact with us in framework of the Russia-NATO council.”

Supporting: See, “Ukraine crisis: Nato suspends Russia co-operation,” BBC (April 2, 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26838894

136

Background Information:

“The Warsaw Pact was an organization of Central and Eastern European communist states. It was established on May 1, 1955, in Warsaw, Poland to counter the perceived threat from the creation of the NATO alliance, specifically the prospect of the integration of a ‘re-militarized’ West Germany into NATO, which took place on May 9, 1955, via ratification of the Paris Peace Treaties. The communist states of Central and Eastern Europe were signatories except Yugoslavia. The members of the Warsaw Pact pledged to defend each other if one or more of the members were attacked. The pact lasted throughout the Cold War. It began to fall apart in 1989, following the collapse of the Eastern Bloc and political changes in the Soviet Union.” New World Encyclopedia

See, http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Warsaw_Pact

137

Background Information:

Renouncing his Georgian citizenship to avoid “guaranteed imprisonment” Saakashvili was granted Ukrainian citizenship and appointed governor of Odessa. See, “Georgia ex-leader Saakashvili gives up citizenship for Ukraine,” BBC (June 1, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32969052

138

Claim: “And we had to respond, because one of the first actions they took was to kill our peacekeepers from our peacekeeping battalion…”

Supporting: When Georgian forces launched their assault on South Ossetia, they did in fact kill and injure a number of Russian peacekeepers. See. “Russian troops and tanks pour into South Ossetia” Helen Womack, Tom Parfitt, Ian Black, The Guardian (August 8, 2008). Retrieved at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/09/russia.georgia

139

Background Information:

The St. Petersburg Marrinski Theatre Orchestra, led by acclaimed conductor Valery Gergiev, held a concert dedicated to the victims of terrorist groups at the ancient ruins of Palmyra in Syria. See, “Russian orchestra plays concert in ancient Syrian ruins of Palmyra,” Fred Pleitgen, CNN (May 6, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/05/middleeast/syria-palmyra-russia-concert/

140

Background Information:

After the collapse of a previous Minsk Protocol to stop the fighting in Donbass region of Ukraine, new peace negotiations were held on February 11, 2015 in eastern Ukraine in the Belarusian capital Minsk. Points of the Minsk Agreement ranged from immediate and full bilateral ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons by both sides, effective monitoring and verification, begin a dialogue on the holding of local elections, pardon and amnesty by banning prosecution of figures involved in the Donetsk and Luhansk conflict, release of all hostages and other illegally detained people, unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, restoration of full social and economic links, full Ukrainian government control restored, withdrawal of foreign armed groups, weapons and mercenaries, and constitutional reform in Ukraine, with adoption of a new constitution by the end of 2015.

See, “Ukraine ceasefire: New Minsk agreement key points,” BBC (February 12, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31436513

141

Claim: “ But back then, our American friends, our European friends told us that the prime minister—back then it was Mr. Yatsenyuk and President Poroshenko had to pull their efforts together, they had to work together and we know how it ended”

Supporting: Putin refers here to the legacy of the Poroshenko-Yatsenyuk government which ended with Prime Minister Yatsenyuk’s resignation. See, “The Toxic Coddling of Petro Poroshenko,” Lev Golinkin, Foreign Policy (April 13, 2016). Retrieved at: http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/04/13/the-toxic-coddling-of-kiev-ukraine-poroshenko-yatsenuk/

142

Claim: Oliver Stone asks for confirmation whether Russia spent $51 billion to prepare for the Sochi Olympics. Putin replies that he doesn’t want to give the wrong number, and would tell him later.

Supporting: According to the Washington Post, the consensus figure is $50 billion, with qualifications. See, “Did the Winter Olympics in Sochi really cost $50 billion? A closer look at that figure,” Paul Farhi, the Washington Post (February 10, 2014). Retrieved at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/did-the-winter-olympics-in-sochi-really-cost-50-billion-a-closer-look-at-that-figure/2014/02/10/a29e37b4-9260-11e3-b46a-5a3d0d2130da_story.html

143

Background Information:

See, “In Russia, how one mainly Muslim region beat back radicalism,” Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor (August 22, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2016/0822/In-Russia-how-one-mainly-Muslim-region-beat-back-radicalism

144

Claim: “the United States spends, this is published, $75 billion on intelligence, $52 billion of which is civilian.”

Supporting: According to publicly disclosed figures detailed in a report by the Congressional Research Service, Oliver Stone’s numbers are correct. See, “Intelligence Community Spending: Trends and Issues.” Anne Daugherty Miles, (November 8, 2016) Retrieved at: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/intel/R44381.pdf

145

Claim: “And [as we’ve discussed], the United States spends more than all other countries in the world combined.”

See, “Here’s how US defense spending stacks up against the rest of the world,” Ibid.

146

Background Information:

After September 11, 2001, Putin offered the US support in terms of intelligence information as well coordinating with central Asian nations to allow US forces to use former Soviet Union military bases. See, “9/11 a ‘turning point’ for Putin,” Jill Dougherty CNN (September 10, 2002). Retrieved at: http://www.edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/09/10/ar911.russia.putin/index.html

147

Claim: “ But instead of that we saw the West expanding their political power and influence in those territories which we considered sensitive and important for us to ensure our global strategic security.”

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO began a progressively eastward expansion. the See, “Did the West Break Its Promise to Moscow?” Uwe Klussmann, Matthias Schepp, Klaus Wiegrefe, Der Spiegel (November 26, 2009). Retrieved at: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-s-eastward-expansion-did-the-west-break-its-promise-to-moscow-a-663315.html

148

Background Information:

After the financial crisis of 2008, world economies scrambled to recover. Russia’s approach was unique to its own economy. See, “Russia’s Response to the Global Financial Crisis,” Pekka Sutela, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (July 29, 2010) Retrieved at: carnegieendowment.org/files/russia_crisis.pdf

149

Background Information:

See, “Vladimir Putin finds his thrill on ‘Blueberry Hill,’” Shaun Walker, Independent (December 13, 2010). Retrieved at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vladimir-putin-finds-his-thrill-on-blueberry-hill-2158697.html

150

Claim: “the former head of the KGB had opened to the US partners the whole system of surveillance in the American Embassy in Moscow”

Supporting: In December 1991, Vadim Bakatin, head of the KGB, turned over blueprints and bugging devices used to bug the US Embassy in Moscow. See, “KGB Gives US Devices and Plans Used to Bug Embassy,” Los Angeles Times (December 14, 1991). Retrieved at: http://articles.latimes.com/1991-12-14/news/mn-197_1_eavesdropping-devices

151

Claim: “On many occasions, repeatedly, I told the US, the European partners, the Georgian leadership—I asked them to prevent the escalation of this conflict.”

Supporting: In his editorial in the Financial Times, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister, Sergei Lavrov, notes that “hours before the Georgian invasion, Russia had been working to secure a UN Security Council statement calling for a renunciation of force by both Georgia and South Ossetians.” See, “Why Russia’s response to Georgia was right,” Sergei Lavrov, Financial Times (August 12, 2008). Retrieved at: https://www.ft.com/content/7863e71a-689e-11dd-a4e5-0000779fd18c

152

Claim: Referring to Georgian President Saakashvili, Putin remarks that his counterparts were saying “What do you expect, he’s mad?”

Supporting: See, “I Would Call Saakashvili Insane,” Benjamin Bidder, Spiegel Online (May 14, 2009). Retrieved at: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/georgian-opposition-leader-zurabishvili-i-would-call-saakashvili-insane-a-624807.html

153

Background Information:

During his ten years as president of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze was plagued with accusations of running a corrupt government and economy, while at the same time he expressed a desire for Georgia to join NATO. See, “Shevardnadze Resigns as Georgian President” Fox News (November 24, 2003). Retrieved at: http://www.foxnews.com/story/2003/11/24/shevardnadze-resigns-as-georgian-president.html

154

Background Information:

The US was not pleased with Russia’s decision to offer Edward Snowden temporary asylum after he leaked classified information. See, “Defiant Russia Grants Snowden Year’s Asylum,” Steven Lee Myers, Andrew E. Kramer, the New York Times (August 1, 2013). Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/02/world/europe/edward-snowden-russia.html

155

Claim: Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko repeatedly asserted that he had been poisoned by political rivals.

Supporting: See, “Yushchenko Poisoned, Doctors Say” Deutsche Welle (December 12, 2004). Retrieved at: http://www.dw.com/en/yushchenko-poisoned-doctors-say/a-1425561

156

Background Information:

See: Ukraine protests after Yanukovych EU deal rejection,” Oksana Grytsenko, BBC (November 30, 2013). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-25162563

157

Claim: “Mr. Yanukovych didn’t leave to go abroad. He was in the country when his residence was taken.”

Supporting: President Yanukovych left Kiev for Ukraine’s second largest city Kharkiv, that was considered his eastern political base. See, “Ukraine crisis: Viktor Yanukovych leaves Kiev for support base,” Bonnie Malkin, The Telegraph (February 22, 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10655335/Ukraine-crisis-Viktor-Yanukovych-leaves-Kiev-for-support-base.html

158

Background Information:

Putin notes that losing the base in Sebastopol was not a threat because the new base at Novorossiysk was being commissioned. See, “Russia To Unveil New $1.4 Billion Black Sea Fleet Base Near Crimea,” Damien Sharkov, Newsweek (July 28, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.newsweek.com/russia-unveil-new-14-bn-black-sea-fleet-base-four-years-484974

159

Claim: “The expression of this free will, whose overwhelming majority had voted for independence and for joining Russia.”

Supporting: See, “Crimeans vote over 90 percent to quit Ukraine and join Russia,” Ibid.

160

Background Information:

On February 18, 2008, the United States formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state. See, “US Recognizes Kosovo as Independent State,” Secretary Condoleezza Rice, US Department of State (February 18, 2008). Retrieved at: https://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/rm/2008/02/100973.htm

161

Background Information:

Speculation about Putin’s wealth is rampant. Oliver Stone asks Putin about claims that he is “the single richest person in the world.” Putin replies that he does not have such wealth as attributed to him. In the realm of public opinion, the question appears to remain unresolved. We provide two references to this claim.

See, “Is Vladimir Putin hiding a $200 billion fortune? (And if so, does it matter?),” Adam Taylor, Washington Post, (February 20, 2015). https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/02/20/is-vladimir-putin-hiding-a-200-billion-fortune-and-if-so-does-it-matter/

See, “Former Kremlin banker: Putin ‘is the richest person in the world until he leaves power,’” Elena Holodny, Business Insider (July 28, 2015). Retrieved at: http://www.businessinsider.com/former-kremlin-banker-putin-is-the-richest-person-in-the-world-until-he-leaves-power-2015-7

162

Background Information:

The seven bankers refer to Russian tycoons, who financed Boris Yeltsin’s campaign for re-election as president. The nickname, semibankirshchina, or rule of the seven bankers, refers to a group of seven noblemen, who ran Russia in the 17the century for a brief period. See, “Russia bows to the ‘rule of the seven bankers’,” Irish Times (August 29, 1998). Retrieved at: http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/russia-bows-to-the-rule-of-the-seven-bankers-1.187734

163

Background Information:

On June 7, 2016, 11.5 millions documents were leaked, detailing how Mossack Fonseca, a Panamanian law firm, effectively aided over 14,000 clients to create offshore businesses and bank accounts to avoid, dodge, or completely conceal taxes. These “papers” highlight how the world’s rich and famous secure and hide their wealth. See, https://panamapapers.icij.org/20160403-panama-papers-global-overview.html

164

Background Information:

Born in Moscow in 1821, Dostoyevsky changed the course of literature by deeply examining philosophy, religion, and existentialism in his works that focused on the internal struggle of the poor, working-class Russian. His notable works include Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, and Notes from the Underground. He died in St. Petersburg in 1881. See, Fyodor, Dostoevsky. Bloom, Harold. Infobase Publishing. 2009.

165

Claim: “But, you know, even Trump has said the Russians hacked the election.”

Supporting: See, “Donald Trump Concedes Russia’s Interference in Election,” Julie Hirschfeld Davis, Maggie Haberman, the New York Times (January 11, 2017). Retrieved at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/us/politics/trumps-press-conference-highlights-russia.html

166

Background Information:

In discussing the statement by Donald Trump that Russia hacked the US elections, Putin replies that Trump had earlier said that anyone anywhere, including a person lying in bed with a laptop, could initiate a hacking attack. See, “Hackers Are Mad That Donald Trump Body-Shamed Them at the Presidential Debate,” Katie Reilly, Fortune (September 26, 2016). Retrieved at: http://fortune.com/2016/09/26/presidential-debate-hackers-body-shamed/

167

Claim: “the US spends more on defense than all the other countries in the world combined spends on their defense—more than six hundred billion US dollars.”

See, “Here’s how US defense spending stacks up against the rest of the world,” Ibid.

168

Claim: “But in 2012 this interference was particularly aggressive.”

Dueling Accusations: While some US officials condemned the results of the 2012 elections in Russia, the Kremlin contended that the US was financing opposition groups, as well as coordinating with demonstrators in Moscow. See, “Despite Kremlin’s Signals, US Ties Remain Strained After Russian Election,” David M. Herszenhorn, Steven Lee Myers, the New York Times (March 6, 2012). Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/07/world/europe/ties-with-us-remain-strained-after-russian-election.html

169

Background Information:

Although US Deputy Defense Secretary, William Lynn, refused to say whether the US was involved in the development of the virus, Stuxnet, that targeted Iran’s Natanz nuclear plant, it is believed that a US-Israeli operation was behind the attack. See, “US was ‘key player in cyber-attacks on Iran’s nuclear programme,’” Peter Beaumont, Nick Hopkins, The Guardian (June 1, 2012). Retrieved at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/01/obama-sped-up-cyberattack-iran

170

Background Information:

Oliver Stone’s 2016 film, Snowden, follows Edward Snowden in the lead-up and aftermath of his decision to leak classified information to the press. See, “In ‘Snowden,” the national security whistleblower gets the Oliver Stone treatment,” Ann Hornaday, the Washington Post (September 15, 2016). Retrieved at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/in-snowden-the-national-security-whistleblower-gets-the-oliver-stone-treatment/2016/09/15/8f2ebde4-78e9-11e6-ac8e-cf8e0dd91dc7_story.html

171

Background Information:

Although Oliver Stone mentioned six major banks being attacked, sources note that five Russian banks underwent a Botnet attack. See, “5 major Russian banks repel massive DDoS attack” RTNews (November 10, 2016). Retrieved at: https://www.rt.com/news/366172-russian-banks-ddos-attack/

172

Claim: “We will attack Russia in the same manner as they attacked us in this election.”

Supporting: When asked whether the US was preparing to send a message to Russia for interfering in the US elections, Vice President Joe Biden replied: “We’re sending a message… We have the capacity to do it… He’ll know it… And under the circumstances that have the greatest impact.” See, “Biden Hints at US Response to Russia for Cyberattacks,” David E. Sanger, the New York Times (October 15, 2016). Retrieved at: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/16/us/politics/biden-hints-at-us-response-to-cyberattacks-blamed-on-russia.html

173

173. Background Information:

On June 24, 2016, Russia’s lower house of parliament voted 325 to 1 to adopt a package of amendments targeting terrorist activities and any perceived support of such activities. Human rights activists claim that the anti-terrorism measures will roll back personal freedoms and privacy. See, “Russia passes ‘Big Brother’ anti-terror laws,” Alec Luhn, The Guardian June 26 2016. Retrieved at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/26/russia-passes-big-brother-anti-terror-laws

174

Claim: “And they’ve got connections of their own in Russia. And they prepare terrorist attacks.”

Supporting: A number of factors add up to the likelihood of future terrorist attacks in Russia. See, “Attacks on Russia Will Only Increase,” Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic (April 4, 2017). Retrieved at: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/04/russia-st-petersburg-isis-syria/521766/

175

Background Information:

See, “US launches long-awaited European missile defense shield,” Ryan Browne, CNN (May 12, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/11/politics/nato-missile-defense-romania-poland/

176

Background Information:

See, “Chechen soldiers among Russian military police in Aleppo to ‘ease interaction with locals,’” RTNews (January 30, 2017). Retrieved at: https://www.rt.com/news/375551-chechen-soldiers-patrolling-aleppo/

177

Confirmation:

The distance from Moscow to Damascus is 3,170 km by auto, 2,476 km by plane.

178

Background Information:

See, “Fethullah Gülen: who is the man Turkey’s president blames for coup attempt?” Peter Beaumont, The Guardian July 16, 2016. Retrieved at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/16/fethullah-gulen-who-is-the-man-blamed-by-turkeys-president-for-coup-attempt

179

Claim: “The US ship Donald Cook was apparently coming right into the Black Sea when it made a U-turn and didn’t carry through its mission.”

See, “A strange recent history of Russian jets buzzing Navy ships,” Thomas Gibbons-Neff, The Washington Post (April 14, 2016). Retrieved at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/04/14/a-strange-recent-history-of-russian-jets-buzzing-navy-ships/

180

Claim: “is this when Victoria Nuland, the Undersecretary of State, had that conversation with the American ambassador and said, “Fuck the EU”?”

Supporting: Leaked audio and transcripts of US Secretary of State Victoria Nuland’s conversation with US Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt do indeed record the f-word.

See, “Ukraine crisis: Transcript of leaked Nuland-Pyatt call,” BBC (February 7, 2014). Retrieved at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26079957

181

Background Information:

The USS Donald Cook’s current homeport is Rota, Spain. See, “USS Donald Cook Departs Norfolk for Permanent Station in Rota, Spain,” Retrieved at: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=78889

182

Background Information:

See, “The Russian Economy Inches Forward: Will That Suffice to Turn the Tide?” Russia Economic Report – The World Bank (November 9, 2016). Retrieved at: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/russia/publication/rer