Russia's US Grant

National Review remembers Boris Yeltsin:

Perhaps, as Yeltsin challenged in the final installment of his
memoirs, no one else could have run what he called the “presidential marathon”
better than he did, given the hand he was dealt. LIke Grant, he will be seen as
a larger-than-life figure who turned out to be a so-so president. And if Russia
in the next decade becomes a more prosperous and secure place, then many may be
prepared to forgive his later mistakes in light of his earlier triumphs. But
like his friend Bill Clinton (Yeltsin also faced impeachment in his second term
of office), Yeltsin will forever be defined by his contradictory images. And as
Clinton said at Richard Nixon’s funeral, so also is it appropriate for Boris
Yeltsin — that the man be judged in light of his entire record of both
achievements and failings — and that, no matter the mistakes he made, the things
he got right be credited to him.

I remember him as the figure who defied the Old Soviet military as they tried to reinstall the old regime with a coup attempt in August, 1991. A true hero of his country.