This, of course, assumes that Vlad is prepared to accept a diplomatic outcome. Personally, I don't think he is. He has got where he is by intimidation and force and I whilst China/India (in particular) stand on the sidelines, he thinks that the West won't have the stomach for a drawn out conflict.
gaining an advantage in some things is advantageous to a degree. when you become reliant upon it to hide the truth the other side see's the smoke screen .. eg you know you killed 10,000 but the oppostion says "check your grave yards we have not lost many, to the gullible aged Russian pub lic they believe him ... why ? because they cant see that although 6 people in their grave yard is just a few, but russia HAS 50000 sites and a lot of them have treble figure new graves! point here is whisper of info, most of the perpetrators of these evil hostilities will never be tried! 2 reasons ... is not part of the ICC the other the average age of the generals etc is in excess of 75! The future of Russia has left .. for now.....
whisper as onefor says ..... !!! lol ... what you hear doesnt match up! Hypothetical scenario Ukraine has their late spring offensive have built up masses of back up ... himars we know are deadly and Russia has no answer n[ or very little ] .. a strike toward Mariupol and the south [ Kherson toward Crimea ] would be a massive blow if they achieved that what a difference that would make!
