@VerNer,
I think when you talk with exclusively agenda, you must also have your ears with a prick in them about Putin and the economising that is going on right now in his wardrobe! YES NOW!
Obama knows the economy of Russian suit wear and laughs in the backside of your President being all gay in the country, stripped to waist amd showing ripples.
Germany had indeed tied itself to Putin's skirt trailings, and sanctions imposed by others will indeed make Mrs Merkel wince in her undergarments on occasions because of non self reliance in her capitalist factories.
But we in the west are just waiting for Putin to stop emitting gas over our borders and showing his buttocks to us in the process.
Russkies are even better at strategy when we have habitually thought of them, especially when leader is dressing as Village People.
Long live western breakfast!