[dragonwriter]

> It seems like Russia could use another Yeltsin (or Gorbachev) more than Putin for its current situation.

He did say best in the world, not best that can be imagined; so unless you are saying there is another Yeltsin or Gorbachev available...

OTOH, Putin is himself an active reason why alternatives aren't readily available.

[loeg]

I think there are plenty of Russians alive who could do a better job than Putin. Possibly most of them. One of their defining advantages would be that they are not Putin and can renounce his actions.