Upon returning to the Russian presidency in May 2012, Putin sought to neutralize widespread street protests, which, he claimed, were fomented by external agents funded by U.S.-backed NGOs. Putin had a longstanding, mutually hostile relationship…

Upon returning to the Russian presidency in May 2012, Putin sought to neutralize widespread street protests, which, he claimed, were fomented by external agents funded by U.S.-backed NGOs. Putin had a longstanding, mutually hostile relationship…