Putin declares war.

[stopdiggin]

42. His COUNTRY is not richer than before

and will pay a nasty price. And, despite the fact that the leadership there has been buttressing and building 'hedges' hoping to weather a certain amount of sanctions - Russia's economy is actually quite skimpy and relatively fragile compared to a lot of the developed world. You can also add in the fact that Putin has just squandered any sort of international weight or standing that he has so coveted and cherished during the course of his leadership. And that too is of utmost importance to both Putin and the Russian people.

The Ukrainians are going to pay a steep price - but it is virtually certain that Putin and Russia are going to as well.