Once again Michael proves himself a complete idiot.

Putin is a pragmatist. He will side with Germany and France when he thinks
he can score a few points and he will side with America when he thinks he
can score a few points. Ultimately, befriending America's economy is far
more important to Putin and Russia than the economies of France and Germany.
Shroeder are Chirac are sufferring under delusions of grandeur if they think
Putin is squarely on their side.