Your points are well taken.

Let's just agree on these two points: war is bad for Putin. And it's bad for everyone.

If Putin chose to enter NATO, as he articulated in the early 2000s, then his economy would be on a better trajectory, rather entering a recession and a reduction of 7-15% GDP.

But in due process he would have to abandon his imperialist and authoritarian visions.

It is clear that his ego is too big for that. It's too comfortable to sit in the Kremlin and steal from the Russian public to fund his many palaces and villas across the world. He's living a luxurious life the wealthiest people in the world could only dream of.

If Putin really cared about his people, he would give up all these properties. What he fears is his palaces and villas taken away from him. He fears that his power will lessen, inadvertently taking away the large fortune he has amassed from the Russian public.

Thank you once more for engaging. I appreciate your thoughts. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this point.