Big question is: How to Get out of Ukraine and save face.

 SANCTIONS AND WEAPONS HAVE NOT ACHIEVED VICTORY

EVEN DIRECT NATO INTERVENTION MAY NOT PRODUCE WIN

It now appears that the realization that the Ukraine strategy has not worked.is growing. There are signs that the search for an honorable exit is underway. There are indications that the west has determined it will need to agree to ceding 20% of Ukraine to Russia. It is sad that this situation has now burned most bridges for an easy negotiation in Ukraine. There will be a negotiated settlement, sooner rather than later. The question is, how much of Ukraine will be left and how long will it take for it to recover to a viable country.

It is clear that Russia will not accept any settlement that will leave the possibility of a rearmed and re empowered Ukraine to resume hostilities in the future. There is no longer any trust left between Russia and the United States and very little with Europe. There will not be any settlement based on good will, Minsk type agreements or the possibility of further NATO expansion. While the west still is spinning the narrative that they hold all the cards, they are holding only a pair of deuces or nuclear war. Some like the present bunch that started this escapade 10 years ago, Nuland, Vindman, and their masters are unwilling to give it up. They may believe that nuclear war is an option rather than be disgraced.

I believe many in Europe understand that their future viability is now on the line. They can not sustain a long drawn out conflict, it will destroy their economies. They should also understand that there now is the real possibility that Russia has determined it will no longer desire to be part of the western economy and is willing to go out on its own and build its relations with the eastern and southern part of the world. This conflict is indeed a turning point in world affairs and the world may never be the same again.

The west never wanted Russia to be a respected member of the world economy unless they submitted to the demands of the western financial powers.  So, in some ways the west should be happy, they have removed Russia as a competitor in the present economic system. It may be good for the west in that it will now have to compete with another system that is not woke, not based on amoral principles, and has gotten fat and out of touch with reality. 

It should be expected that this conflict will end by fall or sooner, Russia will not be defeated or crippled. Ukraine is of course the biggest loser, they believed the spin and decided that being a NATO member was their best option. Sadly, Ukraine could have been the most prosperous nation in Europe, if they would have had strong leaders that were willing to set their own course for the best interest for the future of Ukraine.