Peace talks should have taken place months ago."
I am convinced there would be no war, period, in Ukraine had Donald Trump been reelected in 2020.
Vlad the Invader's "special military operation" was the direct result of American weakness and perfidy on full display in Afghanistan in summer of 2021.
As Vlad's invasions started, peace talks were being held with Ukraine and resulted in proposed agreements, the first of which Vlad himself rejected because he now wanted much more of Ukraine.
Later potential agreements Ukrainians turned down, likely based on Pres. Biden's pledge to support Ukraine, "for as long as it takes".
Today western support for Ukraine seems to be wavering, and that has always been Vlad the Invader's strategy for victory -- hang on at whatever cost in Russian lives until, in effect, the West runs out of courage and Ukrainians run out of bullets, then march in and take what he wants.
And, who knows, Vlad's plan for victory might work.
But that is not yet known for certain.