In the past three days, Russian troops, backed by fighter jets, artillery and lethal drones, have poured across Ukraine’s northeastern border and seized at least nine villages and settlements, and more territory per day than at almost any other point in the war, save the very beginning.
Too bad Ukraine can’t be protected from Russia the same way Israel is protected from Iran.
I mean it could, if they wanted to. But having Ukraine and Russia fight a long war of attrition is in the US strategic interest. The more resources Russia wastes in Ukraine the less of a threat it is. The more Ukraine is destroyed, the more the rebuilding can be used to scoop up investment opportunities at a huge discount.
However this gamble ultimately requires a stalemate and Russian withdrawal or a demarcation without much Russian gains. As we saw with the Reps being undermined by Russia, this careful balance can be shifted in Russias favor anytime by delaying aid.
The same problem exists in the EU where Russia is successfully propping up its agents, however the EU has a decisive strategic interest in Russia not to win and shouldn’t risk it.