There is an element of truth in what he says imo.

Meanwhile, I am less alarmed with Putin's approach than his opponents within the RF or whatever (as Doctorow asserts), i.e. with slowly, slowly, catchee monkey operation by RF .. to use an old English adage.

I think RF have psychologically profiled the orange Mussolini and have his number. Just a question of time when they move in, to my mind.