The westerners I work and socialize with must not be average. The overwhelming opinion in my circle was of course support for Ukrain, disgust for Putin, but the

The westerners I work and socialize with must not be average. The overwhelming opinion in my circle was of course support for Ukrain, disgust for Putin, but the sad thought that Ukraine couldn't possibly hold out long - I remember thinking when everyone was impressed they cleared the 4 day mark that if the world's impressed with 4 days, how much longer could they last? Of course that opinion proved incorrect, but that's OK because I figured myself average and a layman in the realm of military engagement outside Civ. I also reject the notion that Ukrainians only fight because of romanticism or having been duped about their prospects. Plenty of what I've seen in their own messaging seems very aware, and like people fighting for their homes and way of life against harsh odds. Perhaps there are some who would fall under your characterization, but to generalize them all so you can wax armchair Foreign Affairs correspondent undermines your entire comment. Also, I keep seeing these comments crop up. All manner of semi-literate arguments for why a country is better off to roll over and accept, in this case, Putin as their new overlord. It's always cloaked in the veneer of "regrettable truths if only all could see..." and a tone of reluctant pragmatism that's manufactured to a painful degree.