Phew, you had me worried there :) For oil and gas alone Putin has around what, $5 to $10 billion a month to pay for his personal police force and military? What does Ukraine have? Sure the Iranian women stood up, what did it get them? Another one of them was killed recently.

And the Ukrainians? They haven't won yet. I think we both wring our hands over U.S. commitment. Happy to see Germany is waking up.

Half of Moscow and St Petersburg is essentially on Putin's personal payroll. As Narayan points out, what other options do they have, even if they disapproved? Even 20% of them would probably get killed by the other 80%.

If I was in your shoes I might say thing things you're saying. I truly sympathize for WHY you said what you said. I'm lucky to have not seen what you've seen.