“The world should be grateful that Russia has a mature leader in the person of Vladimir Putin, who adequately responds to these heinous provocations from the West,” RIA Novosti quoted Ritter as saying.
The ex-intelligence officer added that Russia has chosen a strategy of balanced reaction to the provocations of Washington and its allies.
According to Ritter, the United States, having been in the place of Russia, would have long ago begun "bombing the transport hubs of Germany and Poland."
He also called the West's behavior "irresponsible and provocative", which will eventually lead to his defeat.
In July, Ali Akbar Veloyati, adviser to Iran's supreme and spiritual leader, expressed confidence that Russia is pursuing a wiser policy in the world than Western countries.