Newt Gingrich : U.S. politicians reacted with surprise to the views of Vladimir Putin . He says Putin is understandable as a former KGB agent and Russian nationalist . Politicians in both parties have mistakenly seen Putin as someone whom they can trust , he says . But Putin's actions are not consistent with his words or those of other world leaders who say that Russia should be treated like any other country.
Newt Gingrich : U.S. politicians reacted with surprise to the views of Vladimir Putin . He says Putin is understandable as a former KGB agent and Russian nationalist . Politicians in both parties have mistakenly seen Putin as someone whom they can trust , he says . Gingrich : Putin is a strong authoritarian leader , maybe the strongest Russian boss since Stalin .