With Putin’s pronouncements on his nuclear threat, this is consistent with previous rulers’ sabre rattling, and speaks to Russia’s pride in how it sees itself. Sir Rodric Braithwaite, British Ambassador in Moscow from 1989 to 1992, describes the Russian mindset.
How the Russians See Themselves If you want to work out what your opponent is likely to do next, you need to understand how he sees himself. During the Cold War our judgement of Soviet behaviour was often distorted by prejudice, ignorance, and wishful thinking....