I am clinging to the hope of an inside job, that one of his inner circle will see sense or be persuaded that it is in their interests to get rid of him. Many of the inner circle, and others have lived a very unsoviet life for the past 20 years or so, children educated overseas, yachts, vanity projects such as football clubs etc., and I cannot see any of them being keen on going back to 12 months a year in Russia, even if they can live a better life than the majority of Russians. Even if it was all to end this weekend with Putin assasinated, it will not be the same for anyone for a long long time as eyes have been opened, and skeletons popped out of closets. Although it is of little public interest compared to what Putin is doing to Ukraine, I feel that what has now become public knowledge about the Russian money running the Tory party and thus the UK government corruption has to be faced up to and dealt with. But, to return to the OP, I suspect Putin will be taken care of, like some John LeCarre cold war plot with MI5 and CIA people helping to sort it out, not untrustworthy politicians.