RE: Then why is Ukraine WINNING, at least according to the Daily Mail?
Israel defeated Egypt in a matter of DAYS ( both times ). The first time surrounded by several Arab countries.
Ukraine is fighting a war of attrition.
Russia’s military budget is close to $70 Billion, while Ukraine’s is a mere $6 billion.
The longer this war goes, the more suffering for Ukraine.
There are 2 possible solutions:
1) Give up Crimea. The Crimeans have mostly NOT identified as Ukranians anyway.
2) Negotiate for a REFERENDUM in the Donbass regions to see if the majority want to remain with Ukraine, be part of Russia, or become independent.
Ante bellum, the Crimeans identified (ethnically) as roughly one-third Ukrainian, one-third Russian, and one-third Tatar.
In 2002, when I was vacationing there, I conducted an informal poll. The (for me surprising) result was: Most Crimeans favored either remaining with Ukraine or independence.
Regards,
3) Ukraine becomes a member of the EU and NATO.