Hi John. I never meant to imply that Putin can't pay Wagner because Russia is bankrupt. I try to point out that Wagner was simply not successful. So why keep paying them? My guess is that Putin pulled the plug on funding them and Prigozhin marched on Moscow in a combination of pique at his struggles with the MOD and the simple desire for Putin to return his call.

I'm always surprised when someone says "no sign that Putin wishes to take all of Ukraine". He entered the country from every direction. One could argue only to get a government favorable to him in Kyiv, but how is that not all of Ukraine?

Georgia and Moldova had to accept the fact that Russia was stronger and they weaker. So part of there territory is Russian controlled. Ukraine found itself in their situation in 2014. The difference today is Putin has upset the global apple-cart so I can't see how he survives. There is no succession plan I know of in Russia. I've seen the same men for 20 years. They're old now. Ukrainians are young. I take it you're arguing Russia's self-sufficiency will allow it to wait out Ukraine and go back to business as usual. Perhaps. Who knows! I just don't see it.

The bottom line is, like you said, Russia has a lot of natural resources. They're mostly worthless to them (to create a modern standard of living). They can't built their own super-yachts or even dish washers. It isn't a country with some ideological hatred of money (like Iran or Venezuela).

The elite can't throw Putin out of a window. But they can cut off some of his money. Money that they need for advanced missiles, not prisoners working in Wagner's army of knuckleheads.

Thanks for the comment!!!