Think of Luhansk and Donetsk as Quebec and New Brunswick wanting independence from Trudeau and aligning with the US.
The US might send troops there to support them if Trudeau continues his dictatorial abuse of Canadian citizens.
Europe has been splintered for over a century.
Many people were forced to be under one flag when their hearts were with another.
A true leader would negotiate that Luhansk and Donetsk deserve their independence and Ukraine and Russia must stop interfering in their affairs. A true leader would negotiate that no troops from Ukraine or Russia should ever step foot in these new nations.
Then let the UN hold the peace.
That is what I would do.
But Putin out-maneuvered Biden and will keep troops in Luhansk and Donetsk permanently, just as he is doing in Belarus. Further territory will be taken by Russia so they have a land bridge to Crimea.
That is Putin’s goal here and he is achieving it a little at a time. The West, under weak leaders like Obama and Biden, keep giving in to Putin.
I remember when DeGaulle got in a lot of trouble for saying, "Vive Quebec Libre!"
Biden is never going to support Canadian citizens against Trudeau. He’s probably giving Trudeau tips on how to suppress the opposition.