The correct way to quote part of a reference is to use ellipsis.
note that failure to do so can change the meaning.
ALSO...
You failed to respond to the post.
I think I responded to two ideas:
It is Putin's call.
Those protections you say are in place in the US and Russia: those involve saying no, systemically, top to bottom, to the Head of State. I.E., removing him as Head of State.
Think Putin will just step aside? I don't.
Allow himself to be captured? Maybe. Certainly that is more ethical than assassination.
So you bank on one of two things:
1) Putin would not launch a nuke at anyone, if nobody launches a nuke at him.
2) If he tries, his own people will refuse and take care of him somehow.
I don't think that's good enough. He flippantly tossed off nuke threats over...what? If a US bomb destroys a Russian tank? Or is it any truck? Or is it any Russian in Ukraine? A gas depot?
Hard to say.
Putin crossed the line. He must go. If this world is going to survive with nukes in it, world leaders with apocalyptic nuclear arsenals cannot be allowed to make such vague, flippant threats. Especially not to secure their wars of aggression.
Time to go. Probably an impossible ask, though. Sounds like we all agree it would have to be one of his own people.