Is the end for Ukraine approaching?

 NATO PROPOSES DIVISION OF UKRIANE FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP

NO ONE ASKS THE RUSSIANS

As the Ukrainian counter offensive fizzles it is becoming apparent this conflict can no longer be sustained by Ukraine or its backers..While an estimated 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died since the beginning of the new counteroffensive and much of its military hardware and supplies are becoming scarce, a plan B has yet to be determined.

Zelensky is now in an increasingly perilous situation as some in the Ukrainian leadership are advocating an end to the offensive and a focus on developing a defensive approach to the conflict. The military realizes that once Russia determines that the Ukrainian forces are depleted enough they will begin an offensive to take Kharkiv and Odessa. Then Russia would then most likely try to move to the Dnieper river before beginning negotiations. This would place Kiev in a position that they would then be very weak in any negotiation.

NATO is now floating an idea of a negotiation that would cede the occupied territory in exchange for NATO membership for western Ukraine. Only problem, no one wants to ask Russia's opinion, because this conflict has never been about territory, but about security and the rejection of NATO expansion into Ukraine. Russia is not going to accept Ukraine NATO membership, short of military defeat with a potential nuclear war. Russia has always wanted a neutral Ukraine by being the borderland or buffer between Russia and NATO. After the cost of lives and treasure, NATO membership is even more of a no go.

The clock is actually running out, The Ukrainian military option to go on the defense is their best option other than capitulation. The offensive is faltering, recruitment is becoming very difficult, surrender to the Russians is increasing, as the Russian's have been smart in giving captives medical care and fairly good treatment. Medical care has deteriorated for wounded Ukrainians, many die before they can receive any care and there are reports of drone footage of many bodies that are still littering the battlefield weeks after engagements. There is a real possibility that a collapse of the Ukrainian military is on the horizon. They have fought harder under poor conditions than anyone could have expected, in fact, they really never had a chance to succeed without air cover and a strong supply of munitions. 

While the destruction of Ukraine as a viable country has been the result of this misadventure into NATO expansion, Ukraine can no longer sustain this fight. The West is now all about face saving and looking for a way to declare a victory, even if it is just another false narrative. They have proposed enticing Poland and Latvia to intervene, but such a expansion would be a very dangerous escalation, considering that the Poles and Latvians are not viewed by the Russian's as brothers and there would be no restraint. Many Russian's still feel compassion for the many of the Ukrainians, even while they have to fight.

Zelensky, his leadership, and NATO will have to decide on a realistic plan B, quickly, or it will just become beyond their ultimate control.