Journalist Julia Ioffe was born in the former Soviet Union, immigrated to the U.S. as a child, and returned many times since to Russia as a reporter covering the country's politics, wars and relations with the world. On this episode of Haaretz Weekend, she explains why Vladimir Putin was surprised by U.S. President Joe Biden's tough sanctions, but why the economic damage caused to Russia won't deter him from continuing his cruel war in Ukraine. Putin, she warns, is cornered, and is far from the strategic genius some analysts make of him. But that doesn't make him any less dangerous.

Also on this episode, host Allison Kaplan Sommer talks to immigration attorney Yadim Elam about Israel's policy toward Ukarinian refugees, which is casuing tensions within the government. His phone hasn't stopped ringing since the start of the war, with people telling desperate stories about trying to enter the country and facing endless beuarucratic hardships. He explains who are the Ukrainian refugees arriving to Israel, and voices his disappointment and frustration with the welcome they're receiving.