Putin’s aim was a pragmatic one, not necessarily of restoring past
Tsarist or Soviet glory, but to realize Russia’s status as a ‘normal’ great
power, turning Russia into a full-fledged member of the international
community and emphasizing economic modernization and development
as the foundation for restoring Russia’s greatness (Tsygankov, 2005).
Putin has repeatedly stated his belief in Russia’s great-power status.