“No Ukriane does not have to take demands from the U.S.”
Yeah...actually they do. We pay for their military, we fund their entire economy and government salary, their civil operations budget, etc etc.
So they do have to pretty much do what we say, or do it all on their own.
USA is the #1 source of military aid to Ukraine, but the EU + EU countries individually + Canada (”Strategic EU Partner”, officially) are the largest contributor of overall aid (economic + humanitarian + military) to Ukraine.
The military aid IS the biggest stick, but, the Ukies know that at this point, their defeat or even a negotiated settlement that leaves Russia with significant gains and a for sure simmering insurgency brings down Biden in the next election. (What, someone thinks conservative isolationists will vote for Biden if he does their bidding on this one? While MOST Americans will perceive that Russia “got away with it” due to Biden’s repeated weakness - no doubt screamed to the heavens by any likely Biden opponent including Trump, even as Trump calls for negotiations now.)
Trump, BTW, seems to partially understand the long term ramification(s) of a negotiated settlement: The USA will have to arm to the teeth, which is EXACTLY what he is strongly calling for. “Iron Dome” America — with a population density 9% of Israel’s...? Holy sh—....
“Yeah...actually they do. We pay for their military, we fund their entire economy and government salary, their civil operations budget, etc etc.”
No true. Our contributions may help their defensive efforts alot, an awful lot, but it does not amount to all you say it does.