Might want to read Aleksandr Dugin, the Russian Eurasianist political philosopher who is said to have have influence on Putin… >>Google "The Ukraine Question and the Trump Administration" + arktosjournal.com

Putin, like Aleksandr, too is a very very rational politician. What we know:

1. a senile outgoing US president is purposefully overplaying his hand to give successor a bad start.

2. Trump wants the Ukraine budget for war against China and Iran.

3. Russia now must want the whole of Ukrainian,

4. Germany is a lame duck until at least the beginning of next year, where most likely AfD will win more votes.

5. Most of Europe has no appetite for active war as the economy is weak. Voters want the money to be spent on them, not on a lost Ukrainian war.

6. Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons if ... many times now……and now his bluff is being called out hard. He will lose face to all if doesn’t act….and must act!

As the US did in 1945, drop a nuclear bomb on an almost defeated enemy to end the war on their terms, I think that this move is also the most logical one now for Putin.

Drop a limited tactical nuclear bomb on whatever Ukrainian garrison used the missies and wipe them out clean. Making an extremely clear statement that the gloves are off, Russia is the boss in the region, accept or they are fully prepared to destroy you.

Trump will put the full blame for this on Biden and do nothing. Europe will shit her pants in all colours, do a hell of a lot of squealing but nothing else. Putin will be praised for showing true leadership. The BRICS will enjoy the long due humiliation of the West….poor Ukrainians….

Personally, I don’t see Putin having many other chess moves left...The coming 2-3 months are going to be scary.