Russia's influence in Syria and Africa is coming to an end because he invaded Ukraine.

unlike the ruble, as you've said. Russian can't use the ruble overseas. It has to exchange to a viable currency at exorbitant exchange rates, causing ever more inflation.

At the Doha meeting, Erdogan holds the cards, imo. Reality dictates no warships are allowed through the Dardenelles and Bosphorus, the rebels will take over the Russian Naval base in Syria anyway, the migs at HAMA are in rebel hands, Russia is near collapse, so Assad may as well move to Moscow where his family is. Putin can keep attacking Ukraine, but he's running out of people, not to mention Biden is throwing billions of more weaponry into Ukraine hands.

Georgia is protesting, Romania is redoing its election because of Russian interference...what else could go wrong for Putin.

Meanwhile, the Biden admin is taken by surprise? Fat chance. This is Biden's unfinished business.

Fatally ill or just getting old, he knows his time is almost up. Seems he is mightily pissed about that and cannot stand the idea that life will go on beyond him. He seems intent at burning it all down.