With Putin allegedly sick, Ukraine/NATO getting stronger, this may be a Gorbachev redux (a Russia capitulation related to military/economic/political compromise). As many wise people have said, Russia needs an "offramp" (face-saving exit, as they are proud people). It seems the last time, the West treated Russia's collapse very kindly (they elected to observe Russia's autonomy when they could've tried to create a Russian client-state). It seems that in the larger scheme, Russia has more in common with the West than with China? Perhaps someday Russia will be a NATO member themselves? In the meantime, let's hope we Westerners can maintain honorable themes such as human rights, economic and environmental sensibilites.