I found Helmer rambling and oft inconsequential. When Mercouris for example pointed out that there were now important Russian polities to consider other than the oligarchs he ostensibly agreed...yet then went back to the emphasise his view of the importance of the oligarchs all over again.

I've read his views on and off for a number of years: he's never become a regular go-to for me.

As to Schryver, I don't really recognise him in your comment. He appears to have a good overall grasp of the geopolitical situation : especially regarding the situation of the US establishment & military.

On Putin, politicians are assumed a priori to act with a degree of honesty on the important matter of international relations: after all they are doing so on a highly visible world stage where you would assume lies and dishonesty might ruin reputations. He certainly never expected western perfidity on such a scale and I reckon is unlikely to be taken in by it again.