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Sen. Ted Cruz believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian leaders no longer respect President Obama because of his failure to lead.

"The only thing Putin respects is strength ... At this point the Russians are openly laughing at the president," Cruz, R-Texas, told the Washington Examiner.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/ted-cruz-the-russians-are-openly-laughing-at-obama/article/2546343/