Correct. Italy alone could put Putin’s Black Sea Fleet on the bottom, in fairly short order. Now, if Russia continues to build, and parts of NATO (like Italy) go to sleep, the situation is a bit more problematic.
This is part of why I suspect the West is using Ukraine as cannon fodder in a long drawn out conflict. That gives the West reason to maintain sanctions, and at the same time bleed Russia’s military and willpower. This also creates huge problems for Russia in terms of equipment, as Russia’s and Ukraine’s defense industries were still highly integrated, or entangled, if you like, until Putin made his move on Eastern Ukraine. Even if Putin eventually acquires those Ukrainian defense industries, they may be largely destroyed... This may be why he (Putin) compromised as much as he did in the latest cease fire agreement. A slow destruction of Ukraine doesn’t do him any favors.
Granted, that last is just my assessment...
The west is not using Ukraine, they are ignoring it. Ukraine’s military, like its economy, has been looted for many years under the Russian puppet governments
> This is part of why I suspect the West is using Ukraine as cannon fodder in a long drawn out conflict.
Absolutely. Russia is interested in nothing more than controlling it’s “near abroad”. They are capable of much more than that.
I’ve heard several analysts say they want Ukraine to essentially become a frozen conflict, lest a prosperous Ukraine decides to look Westward.
Perhaps they might regret what they wish for.
you make some thought provoking points...