David, we have to be careful with that thinking because Putin is reinforced by it. We need to make it clear to Putin that the U.S. WILL USE its nuclear weapons on him in no uncertain terms. Putin understands FORCE and anything shy of that is weakness.

This is not sable rattling. It is dealing with the threat.

That said we could offer a retirement plan to Putin where he can have security and get to keep some of his loot. As odious as this deal would be it would be a way of avoiding another kind of deal that offers him some kind of victory to do his worst AGAIN.

Many thanks. Comments thoughtful.

P.S. Important to distinguish between Russia and Putin. Free Russia has gone.