[Wissa]

The Russians must win to be victorious. But the Ukrainians need only survive to come out on top.

This sounds just backward to me.

The US and EU instigated this conflict with a goal of regime change in Russia. They wanted to start a war so they could implement sanctions that they intended to bring Russia to its knees.

The Russian regime just needs to survive to come out on top and for the US and EU to fail in their mission.

[NorseViking]

Finally a man who sees the wood behind the trees. Winning the war is critical for Russia in this setup indeed.

[dfwgator]

If Russia loses, Turkey Rises. A strong Russia is the only thing standing in the way of a new Ottoman Empire.

[alexander_busek]

alexander_busek: The Russians must win to be victorious. But the Ukrainians need only survive to come out on top.

Wissa: This sounds just backward to me. The US and EU instigated this conflict with a goal of regime change in Russia. They wanted to start a war so they could implement sanctions that they intended to bring Russia to its knees. The Russian regime just needs to survive to come out on top and for the US and EU to fail in their mission.

Other, only peripherally involved parties placing "side bets" are free to define "winning" however they want. "Jimmy the Greek" is at liberty to define "success" however he wants.

The fact remains that for the Ukrainians and the Ukrainian state, all they need to do to "win" is SURVIVE.

Your additional comments are unsubstantiated speculation. You are, of course, free to indulge in it if you want.

Regards,