Sylvain Saurel, it should be no surprise that the middle class support Putin because they have no real safe alternative. Just how strong that sentiment is is questionable but in any case should not be banked on by the West.

Soldiers dead and missing in Ukraine can be more wrenching for the middle class than either raised prices, products out of stock and general inconvenience.

Fear rather than camaraderie is likely gathering the Russian people. Many oligarchs must be angry because of the cost to them and increasingly fearful of Putin. Possibly too, members of the military who have had their prized equipment destroyed.

America and the West must continue to frame the invasion as Putin's alone. To always refer to Putin's aggression and not Russian aggression. Putin has already conquered his own population.

Many thanks.