Uh. Privatization in RUS has stimulated the propagation of kleptocracy which was _systemic_ in CCCP times to a magnificent extent.

To relate it solely to or even just directly with privatizing things in the US is not only not necessary, but misleading, especially given the near 1:1 relationship of the de facto world Putin operated in early in his career as compared to what is being exposed to the west about his government's operating style right now.