Neocons and DC have no reverse gear. Russians see this as an existential threat. No westerners will entertain any negotiation besides complete Russian capitulation. Musk was savaged for even suggesting his idea of a settlement.
Yeah, a collision is coming. Way too many in DC have the “they wouldn’t dare” mentality.
“Russians see this as an existential threat.”
But it’s not. Ukraine neither posed nor poses an existential threat to Russia.