Unfortunately, decimating one's military, causing a brain drain and mass exodus of young people, tanking the Ruble, destroying well built international business ties, giving Russia a black scar of genocide on its history, sowing generational hatred for all things Russian and Soviet in her neighbors, creating long-term dreams of retribution in the Ukrainian soul and expanding NATO can hardly be considered wins.

Putin's desperate and shameful pandering to the most despotic of African leaders belies not friendship but a delusional plan to exploit Africa and create more divisions in the world. It won't work because the West will actually cure malaria and cancer and help empower a green, educated future. After all, the US had a President whose father was African and a current VP of Indian-African heritage as well. Russia is the whitest country on Earth at this point.