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Because Ukraine doesn't want war?

• satellite2 5y ago
  At this point it doesn't seem they have a choice?
  • Festro 5y ago
    There's a difference between self-defence and retaliation. At the end of the day it's civilians who pay the price. If the Ukraine strike Russian territory and inflict, pain or death on their citizens then Putin gains a lot more support. It would be a monumentally stupid idea.
    • shrimp_emoji 5y ago
      You also give Russia a counter-casus belli and lose the sympathy of the rest of the world.
    • satellite2 5y ago
      I agree that it wouldn't be the best PR but it would be a relatively good way to weaken them. In any case, it seems relatively clear that NATO won't help them and they don't really have allies. So acting as the victim is not providing any benefits for them. It seems Ukrainians don't have a lot of leverage in this war otherwise and their prospects are currently not so bright. So that would be to put in balance with the risk of annexation to Russia and de facto suppression of their democracy.
      • dragonwriter 5y ago
        > I agree that it wouldn't be the best PR but it would be a relatively good way to weaken them. Wars are won by morale. Material is instrumental to that, sure, but a relatively minor material gain (and against Russia, that's all Ukraine gains by unrestricted targeting in Russia) isn't worth a massive boost to the enemy population’s willingness to fight when that will is likely the greatest weakness your opponent has and your best path to victory. No one neighboring Russia is going to defeat them in a conventional war materially, but they have been outlasted in willingness to fight.