He may be a cold, steely authoritarian who increasingly has his country by the cojones and exhibits an odd penchant for “kittenish” boys, but Vladimir Putin appears to have a sense of humor. (AP)
Asked about Cheney’s remarks [that Russia is increasingly undemocratic and is using its energy reserves as a weapon against its neighbors] Putin said, “I think the statements of your vice president of this sort are the same as an unsuccessful hunting shot.”
Jokes aside, though, this is one more small indication that “U.S.-Russia relations are clearly headed in the wrong direction.”