[Mariner]

"The end game is the toppling of the Putin regime and a return to a more civilized Russian leadership."

That's not going to happen. Even if Putin is removed, what replaces him is likely to be even more fascistic.

[MeganC]

Then we’ll deal with that when it comes. In the meantime sitting on our hands while Russia re-ignites the Cold War and tries to rebuild the Iron Curtain is a cowardly act of appeasement.

And if Russia does slide into fascism then having it surrounded with our allies and friends is a good way to keep their imperialism isolated.