backdrop or cloak

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to explain to me the meaning of the bolded word which drew my attention by reading the following excerpt of a NYT’s article.

The humiliation that NATO expansion bred in Russia was critical in fueling Putin’s rise after Boris Yeltsin moved on. And America’s addiction to oil helped push up energy prices to a level that gave Putin the power to act on that humiliation. This is crucial backdrop.

I know two meanings of the term “backdrop” but in my opinion they aren’t suitable for the present case. I would use the term “cover”, “screen” or “cloak”.

1. Scenery hung at back of stage
2. The setting, as of a historical event; the background.

scenery = hangings, furnishings, and other accessories on a stage that represent the location of a scene.

I remembered the expression ”cloak and degger”.

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V

[susiedqq]

"Backdrop" to a story can mean the background, or past events.

Sounds like the author of the sentence wants to point out the historical for his story.

[susiedqq]

Sorry, I meant:

Sounds like the author of the paragraph wants to point out the crucial (important) historical background of his story.