“Russia will NOT collapse, because some one wants them to.”
Neither would the larger and stronger Soviet Union.
Russia will collapse if it no longer has enough money and power to hold its oppressed minorities in thrall, and keep its hungry neighbors at bay.
Putin is burning through Russia’s financial reserves and old Soviet military gear at breakneck speed. When they are gone, it will be a very different world for Russia to push people around - and those it has been pushing around will be able to push back.
China is rapidly scooping up Russia’s economy, without firing a shot. They have already reclaimed the first piece of territory from Russia last year (the unpopulated Bolshoi Ussursky Island in Russia’s Amur region). Little brother Pootie Poot had to just suck that up.
I am not defending Putin or Russia.
We have been lied to for years about Ukraine.
Their leadership is worse (more corrupt) than even Russia.
And we are financing the Ukraine.