10,000 Ukrainians surrounded.

 POKROVSK AND KUPYANSK ENCIRCLED

SURRENDER OR DIE

Two major areas of conflict on the Donetsk battle lines have been mostly decided. The battle for Pokrovsk, which many consider one of the last remaining strongholds in the region has been encircled, with no way of retreat or escape, this is also true to the north in Kupyansk. While fighting continues, in attempts to break out, it is reported this is now unlikely. Sadly, as has been the pattern of Ukrainian strategists, they have never retreated in time to save their personnel. We have seen the heavy losses in Mariupol, Bakhmut and Avdiivka when Ukraine would not evacuate their troops to allow them to fight another day. 

Some believe that after these losses, there are not many heavily fortified areas to the west.  Many of these defenses have been created over 10 years and are not easily replaced. We can see that this is why a call for a ceasefire from Ukraine and the west has been desperately sought.

Ukraine is now in a desperate situation with many places without electricity and new Russian offensives expected in Kherson and Kharkiv. The best hope for Ukraine is a settlement relinquishing territory now claimed by Russia. So far, Ukraine and the EU have refused to make any concessions, claiming Ukraine must regain all its territory. This would have been a possibility before the war commenced and shortly after the onset, but now much blood and treasure has been expended and there will not be a ceasefire or frozen conflict.

The natural geographic future border for Ukraine is the Dnieper river. Ukraine to the west, Russia to the east.  If this war continues until complete defeat, Ukraine may also lose Odessa, its access to the Black sea.

Zelensky refuses to make any concessions most likely because if he does he will be targeted by the nationalists. Europeans also insist on continuing, understanding that NATO and their standing in the political sphere will be greatly diminished.

I suspect that Trump would do most anything to get this over with, but is under extreme pressure to continue from the neocons in his party.

Of course, the biggest loser is the people of Ukraine, a country that could have been the most prosperous in Europe, if it had remained neutral. Its leaders made its choice to join NATO and confront Russia, probably the worst decision made in the 21st century, at least, so far.