Also, the slow pace is favorable to Russia. Slowly grinding forward, running out the clock, it’s a good way to be in a good position when Zelinsky gets overthrown or assassinated. And Russia has a little incentive to conclude a cease-fire right now. That’s the dream of DC and London, but Russia knows the minute such a cease-fire is concluded with a DMZ, rump Ukraine will be flooded with western advisors, soldiers, and NATO, or NATO light type status. Squadrons of airplanes missiles, etc. But they also know that cannot happen as long as the war grinds on. Russia has the incentive to keep it going
At this point, the option for Ukraine to stop the war is the denotes of fire, and declare neutrality and for NATO to leave Ukraine.
I think Valerii Zaluzhnyi was ready for concessions with Russia. Luhansk Oblast and Donetsk Oblast, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Kherson Oblast except for the city of Kherson. Plus international recognition of Crimea. If they have to give up little bit more territory to appease Putin, so be it. I think Zelensky said no and fired Zaluzhnyi.
“Also, the slow pace is favorable to Russia.”
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Good point and related analysis.
We are an impatient society that finds the slow grind hard to understand.