I'm the peacenik here. Ukraine was never defeating Russia. That was always a fantasy. Time for a ceasefire and peace talks. Instead Joey is off to Delaware for the weekend while more Ukranians die in vain.
Ukraine still being an independent country right now is a win and a massive L for Russia.
Other than that, we actually agree.
I think Ukraine is going to have enough juice left to take back wide swathes of southern Ukraine.
I dont think the LPR, DPR, and Crimea are feasible goals
But those are the stated goals, get Russia out completely.
Neither side will accomplish their stated goals
Goalpost moving from Russia has been impressive
What was Russia's goal specifically?
Install a puppet govt and take more land, or possibly take the entire country
They didnt send their elite paratroopers to their deaths at Hostomel airport outside Kyiv for shits and giggles
Their stated goals was to demilitarize Ukraine. So trying to take a major airport fits in with that.
My opinion is that they actually are trying to create a buffer to NATO as they have said and their desired goal looks something like this. The whole they were planning to keep going through Poland, etc. thing was our own creation in order to generate fear and support.
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Russians are overtly paranoid about their borders. It’s historic and part of their DNA. Napoleon and Hitler left an indelible mark.
Ukraine is their buffer for sure.