[JoeP]

Originally Posted by JoeP

Most recently, Putin has declined to do the usual tit-for-tat expulsion of US diplomats, in spite of foreign minister Lavrov recommending it (which my cynicism says he was told to do by Putin so Putin could magnanimously decline).

Poo-tin gets no benefit from retaliating against Obama. He's saving this up as leverage on Rump: if he doesn't at least make loudly obedient noises about reversing the expulsion in his first days in office, tits will be tatted.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/1...125349964.html

... a statement which added that he would consider the actions of President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office next month, when deciding on further steps in Russia-US relations.