There is one thing missing in this article. Russians support their government, among other things, because it protects them from some negative ideas and trends which come from the West. First, there is no Migrant Crisis in Russia. Second, Russians are not enthusiastic about political correctness, multiculturalism, gender neutrality and LGBT dominance which are being enforced in the West. Russia could, probably, use some more tolerance. However, what is coming from the West is some sort of religious dictatorship which goes far beyond common "live and let live" principle. A form of "Newspeak" is being enforced, media are controlled and NGO act as religious police in some Middle East countries. These concerns are shared with people in East European countries, many of which are NATO members.