Let’s not lose sight of the fact that, through a sham process, Vladimir Putin will make official today what has been a long-time goal: becoming dictator for life. Along the way, he further corrupted a weak but promising democratic system and wrecked countless lives. (1/3)

None of this happened in a vacuum. One can debate different US administration policies over the years that may have unintentionally fostered his increased recklessness. But no US President, through his actions, has so consistently benefited Putin the way Trump has. 2/3)

That Putin’s “coronation” will occur just as Americans are digesting reports of Russian bounties on US soldiers- with no US action taken to stop or punish Putin, is as stinging an indictment on Trump, as it is on the Russian Duma. Let’s just hope Trump doesn’t congratulate. (3/3)