[ca245]

Whether it’s ethnicism or nationalism the point remains the same.  The Russian people will fight for Mother Russia.  Putin knows  that.  And will play on it.  Hoping there is some kind of uprising or coup is a pipe dream.  So, figuring a way out of this before it escapes and tens of thousands becomes tens of millions is the very difficult matter facing the West.

The challenge to the West is to make the sentiment among the Russian people one of "Why are we fighting the Ukrainians, when so many of them are our relatives?" and not one of "We are fighting for Mother Russia." And, given the iron grip Putin has over Russia, that sentiment needs to become an overwhelming one, not just a predominant one. A stalemate with increasing numbers of Russian soldiers dying on Ukrainian soil might move popular sentiment in the first direction. But an action such as bombing something on Russian soil -- even if a military facility -- and causing Russian casualties would swing Russian sentiment in the second direction. That is why the West has a tough balancing act.

[ca245]

Whether it’s ethnicism or nationalism the point remains the same.  The Russian people will fight for Mother Russia.  Putin knows  that.  And will play on it.  Hoping there is some kind of uprising or coup is a pipe dream.  So, figuring a way out of this before it escapes and tens of thousands becomes tens of millions is the very difficult matter facing the West.

The challenge to the West is to make the sentiment among the Russian people one of "Why are we fighting the Ukrainians, when so many of them are our relatives?" and not one of "We are fighting for Mother Russia." And, given the iron grip Putin has over Russia, that sentiment needs to become an overwhelming one, not just a predominant one. A stalemate with increasing numbers of Russian soldiers dying on Ukrainian soil might move popular sentiment in the first direction. But an action such as bombing something on Russian soil -- even if a military facility -- and causing Russian casualties would swing Russian sentiment in the second direction. That is why the West has a tough balancing act.