If NATO intercede on Ukrainian territory it will be seen by Putin as an explicit attack on Russia. So I expect NATO support to be limited to (possibly) ever more sophisticated weapons.
These are quite capable of taking out shipping at a range of hundreds of miles.
Putin may have a much longer term goal of access from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean which threatens Turkey - possibly why Erdogan is somewhat in appeasement mode.
But Putin will be very aware that NATO equipment (and I suspect personnel) are far superior to his. Increased troop deployment on the eastern border of NATO may dissuade him from attack.
There is still speculation about Putin health. Were he in good order he may be expected to demonstrate this - ride a horse, climb a mountain, shoot a bear etc as in the past. Limited current images show a man who is evidently unwell. Hopefully terminally!
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