What does Putin really make of Britain's Brexit mess?

When it comes to Brexit, Britain’s friends, neighbours, trade partners and even antagonists are generally united in one thing: wondering what on earth is going on. In Russia, there is a particular cocktail of satisfaction and bewilderment.

The satisfaction is predictable. From the Kremlin’s point of view, the whole Brexit extravaganza is a gift, regardless of the eventual outcome. Putin’s strategy is essentially to divide, distract and demoralise the West, so that either we are sufficiently worn down to strike a deal that grants Russia the status he craves – essentially as hegemon of Eurasia and a fixture in any global negotiations – or else we are so fragmented, feuding and fatigued that he has a free rein.

Brexit is clearly setting people against each other: Leavers versus Remainers, Britain against Brussels, and depending on what happens, maybe Belfast against London, Scotland against England, we-wuz-robbed versus sold-a-fantasy. It is also quite simply a massive distraction, devouring the attention of the entire British state and drawing the attention of Europe at that.