Yes, but it is hard to sit back and let them kill kids. I do not envy Putin in this situation.
Putin may very well have his hand forced soon. So far, reports are that the terrorists are refusing to accept food deliveries. Well, people can go without food for quite a while but if there is no access to drinking water in there, or the terrorists are not allowing the kids to get to it, this whole thing will have to come to a head in the next couple of days. Horrible situation, to be sure.
When this siege is over, Putin has got to do something. This last week or so has been evidence that doing nothing = mild appeasement.
As John Kennedy said, lower level staff can handle decisions concering right and wrong. The President's job is to choose between awful and Gawdawful. That would apply to Putin or any country's leader.
I agree. We can all pray for the safety of the children. I say give them whatever they want - get the children to safety then go after them with everything you have. This is what you call being between a rock and a hard place.