As the West watches on, seemingly impotent, Russia grows ever bolder, like a bully who realizes the teacher isn’t coming. Despite having the resources to end this war on Ukraine’s terms, the West clearly lacks the will to win. But the West is wedded to its too-little-too-late approach, justified by the risk of provoking nuclear escalation from Russia. Nor has the West managed to cut off the sources of Russia’s economic might, despite rounds of sanctions. The economy is growing healthily, and the assets of Russian oligarchs remain safe in the West, even if frozen.

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Persons: Vasily Nebenzya, isn’t, Vladimir Putin, ”, can’t Organizations: United Nations Security, United Nations, NATO, West Locations: Kyiv, Russia, New York, ”, Russian, Ukraine, U.S