Today you, linked NYT opinion: Putin is caught in a trap of his own making. In any event, it seems that the NYT has been wearing two hats or the geopolitical landscape has changed immensely within four days.
I still maintain my opinion that Ukraine, in the eyes of Putin, is of vital strategic interest whereas, the US has no vital strategic interest in Ukraine. That is not to say the Euros don't have a vital strategic interest but I believe with 40 % of their energy flowing from Russia combined with the commercial aspect for Russia, it is possible for each side to stack arms, take off their helmets and stand at ease. As Chris pointed out way below, it was utterly foolish of NATO to announce at Bucharest in April 2008 that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join NATO. Georgia paid the price four months later and when Ukraine's memory waned in 2014 it lost Crimea.
Now we're at the doorstep again with Mr. Putin still holding several hole cards, i.e., missiles in Cuba and/or Venezuela, forcing the US to eat the Monroe Doctrine without ketchup or alternatively, our pulling back medium range nuclear missiles from Europe which I believe Mr. Biden has mentioned. As I said way below, Russia is protecting what is seen as a vital strategic interest and as such can absorb enormous economic pain to keep NATO off the doorstep not to mention, the potential for the unintended consequence of economic disarray for the Euros.
In any event, as attorney Vinny said, which NYT opinion do you believe holds water?
Actually, I welcome opinions from all posters.