I think you’re probably right in the long term, though in the short term Putin didn’t expect to get so much opposition.

That said, he likely has a fallback position that seems obvious.

With China and Europe still buying his energy, all he has to do now is wait until November and watch the Republicans take the house and possibly Senate because Americans will be freaking out about $10 gas and likely more supply chain issues.

Once that happens, it’s game over. His chief rival will he back under his control.