Mr Putin gave a highly emotional and charged speech when the Russian operations into Ukraine commenced. During his televised talk he gave out a warning “To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside – if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history.” It was a direct and unambiguous nuclear threat.

The US must recognise that the need to have a stable Russia as a counterweight to China is a reality for Asia.

Those who stick out their necks early in developing military and geopolitical situations many times tend to eat crow. I have experienced this over time but yet continue to repeat the folly.