VOA慢速英语:Putin: The ‘Lonely’ Leader Working to Rebuild Russian Power

means – n. something useful leading to a desired end

oligarch(s) – n. one of a few people who control power in a country

ruthless – adj. uncaring; unfeeling

paranoid – adj. feeling that others want to harm you; having a mental disorder that causes people to falsely believe others want to harm them

limelight – n. the center of attention

isolate(d) – adj. separated from others

decay – n. the loss of strength and health; being slowly destroyed by natural processes of aging

pity – n. a feeling of sadness or sympathy

bear this cross – phrase to suffer like the Christian savior Jesus Christ did when he was executed

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