Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

If this was true Zelensky would know it and would not be talking about freezing the war and using diplomacy to try and get the occupied territories back, the kind of proposals that not so long ago were labelled "pro Russian defeatism" by various posters who have all gone very quiet on this thread with their silly accusations. The fact he's doing this suggests he knows Trump will not have his back when he gets into power.

I'm not quite as pessimistic in the long term. Perhaps one day Ukraine will get the stolen territories back. But militarily they have no chance in the near future. The West is simply not interested in a true Ukraine victory and Putin is a psychopath who will never back down from his imperialistic goals. For a long time I've said hope will only come in a post-Putin Russia, that could happen soon or it could be many years away. Zelensky has also said more or less the same.

Arguably I would say both sides will have lost this war if it ends like this next year: Ukraine has lost a lot of territory, Putin has fallen far short of his original aims. Really a huge tragedy that should never have happened

Yawn

It very much looks like Ukraine will have to accept the loss of four Oblasts and no NATO membership to get peace. I think we are getting there in terms of acceptance but there is still a journey to go on the Ukrainian side.

If they take over could/would Syrian refugees go home?

Russia cant just get away with everything they have done if this war ends can they???

I think the bigger fear for Europe is having Russia as a liability in a post Putin collapse.

That's the problem with a direct war with Russia, it could be over in weeks but then you've a basket case society as a dependent.

This isn't the 1940s and 50s when the US had no shortage of GIs to station in Europe.

There has been the usual talk from putin fan boys that somehow Trump will save them from their attack on Ukraine being a huge embarrassing failure for putin but in reality no one knows what Trump will do in relation to Ukraine. Just saw a BBC discussion on this and the point was made that a number of Trump's appointments have a very realistic view of putin as the war criminal he is and it is in the USA's interest to keep in mind that putin regards them as the enemy and wants to get his revenge for the USA's part in the demise of the USSR. My own opinion is that Trump will not be prioritising any changes in Ukraine and could be comfortable enough with putin's terrorists being bled dry in a slow defeat by Ukraine with the support of EU and NATO members continuing for as long as it takes.

It's not a great look for the so-called superpower (Russia) if they need Trump to bail them out of a war they started.

Exactly. If you look at the woods from the trees, you have a so called world superpower who cannot project enough force to take over a country at their own border. All they have after nearly three years of fighting is less than 20% of a country and a decimated army, economy, and soviet stockpiles. Their biggest exports, like gas to Europe are gone. Diplomatically, they are left with relationships with Iran and North Korea.
Can you imagine if they tried to take on a country like Finland? Poland? That’s before we even touch on NATO.

This war has been a disaster for Russia. They overplayed their hand. It could only have been worse if it had caused a revolution.

According to Merkel Trump was fascinated with Putin's strongman vibes, whereas now that aura of invincibility is tarnished as his mighty swift invasion is approaching its third year with troops depending more on civilian and recreational vehicles like golf buggies to get to the front.

Plus Trump will be no fan of Putin where western businesses having to shut up like McDonalds did in Russia. He's world view is very much shaped by where he can make a profit, regardless of how poor it is.

It can be both: bad for the west and terrible for Russia and Ukraine.

Zelenskyy has thrown down the gauntlet; NATO accepts Ukraine or lets the bully have his way. NATO's decision on this will determine its future as a weakling or a vital force. There's a lot more to this than meets the eye.