[pierrem15]

It is cynical given Blinken's asshat pledges of "unconditional support" to Ukraine before the war, although I think it's more due to the fact that US intel expected an easy Russian victory.

Who will pay? I read the West currently holds $300 billion in Russian assets.

As far as the economic damage to Russia, much of that will be semi-permanent, as no one will be in a rush to resume commercial ties that can be destroyed immediately by renewed sanctions at any moment.

[kabar]

We have entered a new Cold War and driven Russia into the arms of China. Russia will become a colony of China supplying food, energy, and raw materials to the Chinese economy.