Mikhail Khodorkovsky: Putin Perceives Trump as "Plain, Weak, and Controllable"

MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY: For Putin, it was very important not so much to demonstrate some direct influence on the American election process--because it's not very possible in reality--but to show that he is capable of such influence. And now with the help of Western press, that actively brings this to light. He will use this card in his relations with his counterparts from democratic countries as a threat to influence democratic processes.

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Putin perceives Trump as plain, weak, and controllable. Trump perceives Putin as clear and sincere. As soon as they feel themselves being deceived--and they are two quite emotional people--there might be a very serious conflict. That's what I definitely would not like to happen.