Why is the U.S so furious and afraid of no-fear, tit-for-tat and repulsive Putin? Bush policies over the years has change the world politics that capable countries (unlike hyprocrate Britain, france, germany etc) have no option but to check mate the U.S with Pulin like leaders.

Putin is a wolf in sheeps clothing. If he gets back in office i would expect he will work on completing his work of turning Russia back inot a communist state.

Not a healthy sign, I have nothing agianst Putin, Russia should have the leaders it wants. The cornoerstone of any democratic government is an established rule of law. If the rules are changed to accomodate the man (any man) then the rule of law becomes a moving target and the people can have no confidence that their vote will mean anything. In 2000 in the USA the Bush regime used the courts to avoind having to count the votes, and then ruled for eight years with any angry populace and a shakey mandate. Until the Russians agree on the rules, and alter them only through delberative process Russia will remain in the twilight zone between totalitarien state and republic, and that doesn't bode well for its relations with the rest of the world.

"six – undemocratic" years? How does that make it undemocratic? Who are the critics?

Actually many countries in EU elect their PMs (president equivelents) for 6+ years, France has a 7 year term for instance. Plus, in developing nations it is better to have longer terms for presidents, as to stay the appriate course for the better of the society, instead of flopping back and forth. Obviously, as long as the policies favor the people, which is the case observed during Putin's presidency - hence the 70% approval rating. That just doesn't happen on its own.

Who cares? It only matters to the people of Russia. They LOVE Putin. I don't blame them. He rescued Russia from the dreadful Yeltsin years.

I'm not from Russia, but the possibility of him coming back is very likely. Don't make him too angry, or we're in trouble!!!

I hope he does come back (Putin). It will be fun to watch Obama try to fight with Putin. Obama,is shuch a shrimp!

Well, he 's kind of the designer of the Russian "Democracy" ,and the word democracy has as many meanings, as there are people on this planet.Why would you worry,Do you mean the U.S is a example-nation for Democracy? If so , I 'm beginning to get doubts if the U.S actually deserves a man like Obama, as from the terrorist-treat lately, It's obvious that republicans& mossad are planning another plot. that means ,and mark my words : within 2 years of his term he has to make a decision wether going to war or not. As mossad obviously blackmailed Bush,even when they can't do that to Obama, they will find a way to force him to.Be honest :this AlQaida /Arab moslim terrorist story is so Israel!

Putin doesn't need the Kremlin. He's been able to project the Republic's muscle from his current position. He's a KGB, cold war relic pretending to have his countries people at heart, while giving moron's like Chavez a weapons factory and military training. By the way, Chavez' interest in the defunked Citgo gas stations prompted him to try to be clever to sell his oil to Americans under the name of "Petro Express". Wow, Chavez has it all. Iranians on his oil platforms, Russian weapons and military training, and the hatred of most Americans. And Putin smiles.

The Russians can extend their Presidential term to ten years if they like,
but one thing is certain, "No man is an island" or can claim the knowledge of all things. Time is the acid taste of values, and creation of national wealth determines to a great extent the stability of a nation.
However if a created wealth is channeled towards aggression, then the life of the state is endangered.

Oh Yes! Putin anyway bad.. As I can get from the article, Putin either run for presidency or.. if he see that he wont make it he wont.. Anyway he would like.. hmm .. I see differnces how do westerners perceive Russia, or would like to see her.. YOU ALSO PROMISSED THAT HE WOULD CHANGE CONSTITUTION TO RUN FOR 3RD TERM... HA!!! HI DIDNT.. WHY SHOULD HE GO BACK?? What I see is that he really respect russian people.. And I think, that he wont go for presidency next time.. WELL PLEASE WRITE ANYTHING POSITIVE ABOUT PUTIN THEN, IF HE WONT.. BUT I THINK THAT ON NEXT ELLECTIONS YOU WILL WRITE THAT MEDVEDEV CHANGED IT FOR HIMSELF.. yep this is what you will write...

putin does not make all the decisions in russia...there are so many departments in russia that have a say in determining what to do and how to do it. yes the economy in russia is bad, but not that bad, the usa has a far worse economy than russia...usa debt is in trillions, russia,s is not....russia has plenty of raw material to supply europe, asia esp. china, the arab world, and africa...south america...russia wants to take all americans clientelle, and they are succeeding since usa is unable to defend anybody at this moment....putin has always been russia,s hero, and putin is no stupid leader,,,military, business, and internationally well educated and experienced...russia is no threat to the world....the big threat is china....when china reaches the point of not getting what it wants by trade, and diplomacy it will with no hesitation wipe out anybody that stands on its way....russia extending the president term is very good for russia, because it has realized thast a leader needs more than 4 years to fix an economy, and all the country otheer problems.....

Matthew, I watching you on the same spot of Kutuzovskii prospect for more than a year. Sometimes you can be seen in American bar, too. If you see only two places in a whole russia it is not a surprise that most of your stories look like conspiracy theories. I am not going to wonder is it your own "professionalism" or editor's choice, but it is disgusting when you try to misguide viwers even in details. Mr. Putin had never been a KGB agent, he was an officer of KGB. And by the way it is at list funny when you talk about gas prices in Asia standing in Moscow street.
To be objective I saw you once on the tank somewere in Caucases in August. But it did not help to viewers seeking for fair comment, did it?

Of course, he is coming back. He is hugely popular in Russia, having 70%, even in polls conducted by westerners. And the US seems to have no money at this time to mastermind a Russian version of Orange revolution. The West also had a poor choice of "opposition leader" Kasparov. He could better serve as an opposition leader in NYC where he had been living since USSR collapsed.

every nations gets the government they deserve. americans screwed themselves and elected bush – twice! – and deserve every ounce of international outcry, as well as the domestic crisis. unless someone explained to hard-boiled/headed social conservatives that gay marriage and abortion rights dim in comparison with complex and intricate issues of economics, health care and security that will span decades, 04 was destined to happen. so it did. and US, along with most of the world, got screwed. so putin's return to power is not surprising – russians are equally and consistently lacking in their ability to self-govern, and until the premise and the inner-workings of democracy stick to the fabric of the society, starting with the adequate judiciary, russia will continue to find ways to screw itself, and some parts of the world. the only real hope, short of the russians suddenly deciding to spend 40 years in the desert, shed the notions of century-induced mental slavery and return to a [more] just governing systems, is that the price of oil plummets and russian economy – yet again! – goes out of business. long shot, but that may provide sufficient fuel for existing opposition forces to shake up the status quo and awaken enough of the "bydlo" to introduce change. alternatively, we'll see an installation of even more oppressive regime that will collapse onto itself. either way, economics does seem like the best bet for now to steer that huge totalitarian monster of a country.

>>>> inking Russia’s economy deeper into crisis

Oh, yes – kettle calling the pot black ... Lets try to use taxpayers' $700B to fix financials, then bailout old monsters just because when they fall, they can take another 2 million jobs with them ... and then call on Russia to fix oil crisis.

>>>> stepping down after eight years from the Russian presidency in May, in favor of his hand-picked successor,

I would not call 60% popular vote as "stepping down ... in favor". This is direct popular vote – not "I am voting for somebody who will vote for someboby but we might end-up with president elected by minority".

>>> undemocratic

Right, since to be fully "democratic" country we (Russians) should accuse some other country in producing WMD, invade them, hang their president after kangaroo-court and take controi over their oil fields.

Thanks – lets hope that "freedom of speach" would allow CNN moderator to post this response inlike Russian ambassador's response to several CNN articles about Osetia-Georgia conflict.

On one hand Russia is autocratic and has no democracy, the western media insists, but on the other hand the Russian people may 'choose ' to not give Putin the mandate to return to power if the economy worsens! We envision and shape Russia, Iraq, Iran etc through our perception, fears and fantasies, then find the 'facts' to support the story while we stir up the most unnecessary and risky situations, leaving messy wars for others to clean up. Does the US not have enough on it plate at this current point in time?
So if Putin is the rogue, what does that make Bush? Moral leadership?So what if Putin wants his old job back? We think nothing of replacing one Bush with another, even a lesser Bush, after a protracted period.

how can you even try and compare putin to bush?

Bush didnt try to change the constitution so he could be president for another 12 years.

Bush didnt threaten the jobs of those who didnt vote for him.

It's amazing that you can start foaming at the mouth and blaming bush, how about you blame yourselves for electing him, and stop apologizing for putin.

Long live Czar Putin I ! (Bravo for the russians).

I have the believe that Putin is Medvedevs driving mirror.He is the one in control eventhough through the mirror,and still strongely eager to come back and will likely do so.No doubt Russians lived good times during his direct leadership and may want him to come back.But one thing that seems coming to me is that Russia want to rewrite it name in the world leadership history and by so doing is turning aggressive and seeking to create alliances arround the world.I fear Putins come back may aggravate the situation.

George bush used to perceave putin as a good man.i hope he is the good man.although perceptions could be limited.

tambua,hamisi,kenya.