Beware: Putin the wounded animal [View all]

[Nye Bevan]

The sanctions hurt Russia a bit, but now oil's freefall is causing the ruble to crash and slamming that nation with a guaranteed recession or even depression.

This would be something worthy of extreme vigilance for the U.S. government and investors alike even if Russia were a true democracy governed by at least semi-responsible leaders. But it's worse. Much worse.

Vladimir Putin has always been a lot more like a petty Latin American dictator than a statesman. Think about it: He made his bones in the secret police, consolidated his power with a ring of super wealthy backers, and he claps political opponents in jail at a moment's notice.

In short, Putin is like a Augusto Pinochet or a Juan Perón … but with much more steely resolve, a massive military, and nuclear bombs.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102273192

Time to make a deal? Full withdrawal from Ukraine, including Crimea, Putin steps down and there are new elections under Western supervision, in exchange for the ending of sanctions, economic assistance, and possibly amnesty for Putin and his top lieutenants?