Watching the Putin interview I got this feeling that he alone runs the country. Clearly intelligent and stays humble about it, even if just to paint a certain image of himself (most likely the case). It feels like if something strategic happens in Russia, Putin had a hand in it.

Contrast that with US where it feels and looks like some shadowy group is puppeteering the president. Putin pointed out US debt issue and the fact that US shot itself in the foot with sanctions - all of which ring true to me.