UpNorth takes a look at some of Vladimir Putin’s past and current international and domestic friends. An eclectic gang of evil dictators, psychopaths and washed up Hollywood actors, Putin has surrounded himself with some of the most corrupt and murderous totalitarian leaders in history.
As a handful of former and current Western politicians question Western attitudes towards the Putin regime, they may take a moment to survey this list of other Putin supporters, apologists and friends.
The former North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Il, caused several famines in his country that claimed the lives of tens of thousands of his countrymen. During his rule, North Korean prisons held over 200,000 political prisoners. Putin has been cozy with North Korean dictators including Kim Jong Il.
Putin with former Libyan dictator Muammar Ghaddafi. Putin lashed out at western nations and NATO after Ghaddafi’s death, claiming that a NATO drone had killed the dictator.
Roman Kadyrov is the Putin installed, leader of the Chechen Republic. Kadyrov and his regime have been accused of widespread torture, serial rape and murder in Chechnya. Kadyrov has been accused of personally being involved in disturbing incidents involving rape, torture and even be-headings. Most recently, he has been accused of being involved in the murder of Russian opposition leader, Boris Nemtsov. Putin honoured Kadyrov with a state award shortly after after the assassination.
Assad’s regime has incarcerated over 200,000 political prisoners and is accused of widespread human rights abuses, including mass war crimes. Vladimir Putin is currently assisting the regime by bombing all rebels held areas including those held by secular opposition forces.
Putin meeting with Ayatollah Khameni. Putin is set to deliver $800 million worth of sophisticated S-300 air defense missile batteries to the Iranian regime.
Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe, is banned from travelling to most western countries due to widespread human rights abuse. Putin met with Mugabe in May to discuss a $4 Billion Zimbabwe mining deal. During the meeting they joked about western sanctions.
Famously corrupt Belorussian strong man, Alexander Lukashenko is seen here with long time Kazakhstan dictator, Nursultan Nazarbayav, whose country has never held a free election, joining their friend Vladimir Putin in celebrating the Eurasian Union (a union of totalitarian states of the former Soviet Union).
Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela was among the most corrupt states in the world and had a horrendous human rights record – with widespread attacks on journalists and political activists. Putin and Chavez enjoyed warm relations. In 2012, Putin reportedly gave Chavez a puppy as a gift. Putin had told a journalist at the time: “I like kitties and puppies and little animals.”
Putin with the leader of the Night Wolves motorcycle gang, Aleksandr Zaldostanov. Widely referred to as Russia’s Hell’s Angels, The Night Wolves have organized neo-fascist demonstrations and rides. The staunchly pro-Stalinist gang are sanctioned and banned from entry into Canada, USA, Poland and Germany and other EU states due to their activities.
Putin with Chinese dictator Xi Jinping.
FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, who is being investigated for corruption is a close friend of Vladimir Putin. In June 2015, the Russian President said that Blatter should be awarded the Nobel Prize.
Silvio Berlusconi has been convicted of corruption and abuse of office. Several Italian Mafia turncoats have stated that Berlusconi had connections with the Sicilian criminal gang. Berlusconi has been a vocal critic of Western sanctions against the Putin regime. Recently, Berlusconi and Putin stole an ancient bottle of historic Crimean wine and drank it during a visit to the Russian occupied region.
Ousted former Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovich, was evacuated from Ukraine during the Maidan Demonstrations with the help of his old friend Vladimir Putin.
Accused of making some of the worst Hollywood movies in history, Steven Seagal has found a rare fan in the Kremlin: Vladimir Putin. Along with his pal, Us Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who ostensibly “fell for Putin” after losing an arm wrestling match against the diminutive Russian ruler.
Former Russian Railways chair, Vladimir Yakunin, whose US based assets have been frozen and and is banned from entering the United States, is Vladimir Putin’s old KGB colleague and neighbour.
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