Even in retreat, Mr. Putin tries to take the offensive.

When a Russian project to build a major pipeline to southern Europe was blocked by Bulgaria, he redirected the project toward Turkey and chastised the Bulgarians. The initial deal was caught up in the political and diplomatic quarrel over Ukraine, as Western powers became determined to resist Mr. Putin’s aggressive policies at every turn.

“If Europe does not want this to be realized, then it will not be realized,” he said, calling it “ridiculous” to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the pipeline through Bulgaria only to have to abandon it.

“But such is the decision of our European friends,” he said, adding a jab that Bulgaria, by giving in to pressure, had been “deprived of the opportunity to act as a sovereign state.”

‘You Can Do a Lot More With Weapons and Politeness Than Just Politeness’ -Nov. 17