Spot on! I expect the U.S./British navy will eventually escort grain ships to and from Odesa. Russia can't fire a nuke because grain needs to get to North Africa. The U.S. is trying to avoid this through diplomatic means. But when push comes to shove, the U.S. can't afford to look weak here. The U.S. isn't afraid of the Russian Navy (which "operates" its only aircraft carrier as a case study in graft and corruption). Rather, the U.S. is afraid of what it would have to do if put into the position of having to protect itself.

Let the public believe Ukraine is losing. With Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa relatively secure Ukraine shouldn't rush anything. Putin continues to write checks that can't be cashed. It's heart breaking all the Ukrainians killed by sociopaths.