It’s true Putin has succeeded in forcing the US to deal with Russia’s safety considerations, together with future missile deployments and Nato workout routines. He’ll sustain the navy and diplomatic stress for now, to see what concessions and freebies he can get.
However Washington won’t conform to freeze Ukraine out of Nato or remake Europe’s post-cold conflict safety constructions, and Putin absolutely is aware of it. In the meantime, his aggressive ways have rallied the fractious western democracies and stiffened opposition to his regime.
Whereas a watching world is ready for Putin, Biden is threatening to sanction him personally, as urged on this area final week. Like a thief within the evening trying to see what he can seize, Russia’s chief makes a pariah of himself and his nation on the worldwide stage.
Battle or no conflict, actual or imaginary, that look likes defeat.