We would be better off and conceivably the Ukrainians, too, if we just told Putin to take the place with our blessings. It has been the source of an incredible amount of corruption in Ukraine and in America and the chance of a turnaround is nil. The only strategi reason to maintain Ukraine is the Crimea which Russia already got.
“We would be better off and conceivably the Ukrainians, too, if we just told Putin to take the place with our blessings.”
This would also help us as it would cripple Russia. If Russia did annex it they would need a permanent occupation force that would drain their resources and would likely see a long term terrorist campaign within Russia.
One way to think of it is that Ukraine is to Russia what Ireland has been to the UK.