I'm naive enough. He expected the "special operation" to end equickly. Now he's dug in his heals, hoping for luck to turn his way. This is one of those lucky breaks (though I don't believe will change anything).

On the one hand, the U.S. will want to secure passage for the grain with it's navy, risk direct war with Russia, on the other hand, it isn't a national security concern of the U.S.. Remember, it's the Middle East and Africa that sided with Russia at the U.N.

I don't believe the political support exists in the U.S. to go to war with Russia. The ability of Western navies to successful create a safe passage isn't the problem. The problem is that if Russia sinks so much as a U.S. rowboat the U.S. will have go on a war footing. Huge political cost.

Hundreds of millions of North Africans can starve and few in the New York City or Moscow will notice. My turn for the "who is naive" question, Richard ;)