that vladimir putin would consider that vladimir putin would consider that enough of a success to maybe end the conflict without too much of a bruised ego? i end the conflict without too much of a bruised ego? a bruised ego? i think it s very likel . a bruised ego? i think it s very likely. whether a bruised ego? i think it s very likely. whether the a bruised ego? i think it s very likely. whether the ukrainians j a bruised ego? i think it s very i likely. whether the ukrainians and the rest of nato would accept that is open to question. i think it could quite possibly split the western anti putin alliance because there will be some countries, for example those who are heavily dependent on russian fuel, energy, they will be saying, well, you know, a lot of people in that part of ukraine were russian speaking anyhow, maybe we should let them get on with it and leave them alone, it s a long way from western europe. others will say, putin cannot be allowed to get away with this. if