W
The West is happy to end the war here on these lines. Then Russia would get about 20% of Ukraine's area and 20% of Ukraine's population. But why it is so problematic for Russia is that would mean the West gets the other 80% of Ukraine. With 80% of Ukraine in the West, in the decades to come, there will be this growing political pressure in Belarus and Russia to go with Ukraine to the West. The Russians know through their history there are crises that come from time to time, and when the next internal crisis comes, the West would then exploit that to possibly take over. That is why Russia has said that it views if Ukraine joins the West, then Russia is indefensible over the long run.
Ok, so then what can Russia do. Well Russia has to fight on over years, to hopefully break the Ukrainian army, and take over most of Ukraine. There is logic to the way Russia has fought the war. You try for the heroic sweeping attack at the start to end the war fast. Then if that doesn't work, you have a long grinding war ahead of you. In a long war, it has become industrial warfare. Instead of going for daring maneuvers, its a production line of conscripts, weapons factories, logistics, etc.
Ok, so then what can Russia do. Well Russia has to fight on over years, to hopefully break the Ukrainian army, and take over most of Ukraine. There is logic to the way Russia has fought the war. You try for the heroic sweeping attack at the start to end the war fast. Then if that doesn't work, you have a long grinding war ahead of you. In a long war, it has become industrial warfare. Instead of going for daring maneuvers, its a production line of conscripts, weapons factories, logistics, etc.
