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I think the US and other western governments believe this would be seen as a military 'win' for Putin (the massive economic consequences can just be blamed on t

I think the US and other western governments believe this would be seen as a military 'win' for Putin (the massive economic consequences can just be blamed on the 'evil west' attacking Russia) and although it would reduce tensions in the short term, would likely make it more likely that Russia would continue to threaten and/or attack other countries on its border or further afield.

cezart 4y ago
Furthermore, it would be seen as a huge betrayal of Ukraine. From their eyes, it will be a repeat of 2014, Russia got in, took some territory, the big players intervened with some sanctions and so, and Putin/Russia got away with it. So probably in 8 more years, or way sooner, Russia will regroup, and attack again to take some more territory, and after that, probably some other country as well. Russian and Ukrainian military telegram channels these days discuss that behind the current olive branch from Kremlin, is a desire to regroup troops(they're having losses on the battlefield daily), wait for winter to pass in the meantime training well the conscripts and rebuilding the loss machinery, and attack again in Spring. So not even 8 years of peace as it was last time, but around half a year, in exchange for quite a bit of Ukrainian Territory.