Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote an opinion article Wednesday addressing the American people. Naturally, I was curious because I really didn’t know what to expect. And while I read it, I was surprised by the level of sense he made. Putin leveled with the American people, claiming no one wants war and that the U.N. is built to make sure there is no war, even going as far as saying he wanted to steer discussions back to negotiating. He said American interventions in internal conflicts using military force on Middle East nations revealed its ineffectiveness, pointing out blatant examples of how Libya is now divided in tribes and clans and Afghanistan spinning out of control.

He even advocated to work within the U.N.’s parameter to set a good example for the rest of the world, so the U.N. wouldn’t end up like the League of Nations, which fell apart when it, too, had problems having leverage and thus nations went against its jurisdiction and to war.

In many respects, I agree with Putin on almost all his points, which is a first for me. I know, I never thought myself to find Putin as the voice of reason either. But is he really?

This is big bad Vladimir Putin, the big boss of Russia, our biggest “frenemy” and political counterpart! So why does he sound like Mother Theresa? I agree with basically everything he said, but why doesn’t it feel right? And then I figured it out. Because he’s Vladimir Putin!

It’s silly, I know, and it is not at all wise to judge someone on who they are, and I actually am not, but I am going to judge him on what he did.

Why Vladimir Putin, leader of Russia in 2008 that invaded the small southern nation of Georgia, would say, “We need to use the United Nations Security Council and believe that preserving law and order in today’s complex and turbulent world is one of the few ways to keep international relations from sliding into chaos. The law is still the law, and we must follow it whether we like it or not.”

Why Vladimir Putin, who supported the anti-gay laws that make it essentially illegal to be gay, would say, “We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal,” is beyond me.

Putin is either an idiot or disingenuous. You pick. The only reason he’s acting like a good little boy is to avoid war. Would this have something to do with Russia about to host the next Winter Olympics in Sochi? It could it be that, but he definitely won’t have anything be done to hurt Syria.

Putin claims the world is against America, but is the world with Russia? Just because you say you don’t want war doesn’t mean you won’t be in it. Again, Russia had a missile cruiser stationed at the Mediterranean ready for anything. How can Putin say any of this talk of peace and shame America’s track record when his is not that great? I agree there should be negotiations, it’s what I’ve wanted, but don’t be the pot calling the kettle black, Putin.