Vladimir Putin's actions towards the Ukraine after the collapse of the Yanukovych government and especially regarding the Crimea show a fascinating divide between published and public opinion, at least for Germany. A completely non-scientific review of media reports in the leading German mass media illustrate an overwhelming media stance in support of the sanctions and anti-Putin rhetoric undertaken by EU governments and the US. While NSA and GCHQ had been at the forefront of the published debate since Snowden had fled to Russia, now a new agenda has been set. Continue reading
