"the forces behind Putin" interesting thought. I am certain Putin has his backers but I don't feel like Putin is a puppet. His backers are more like his gang and he is the leader. Oh, if we only could compromise with those who back Putin and get them to do away with him.

I don't feel my suggestion was going backward and forward at the same time, more like going to a different place and time.

I may be wrong about this but Crimea is uncomfortable as part of Russia or as part of Ukraine. It is really its own place. Let Crimea be its own place and align with whoever it wants.

TEK