> Russia annexed those regions when it became the best way to protect the people there, after the collapse of negotiations. Okay, since you brought this up, I

> Russia annexed those regions when it became the best way to protect the people there, after the collapse of negotiations. Okay, since you brought this up, I have to know now. How does annexation of that territory protect the inhabitants there, compared to a world where Russia merely occupies the territory? For bonus points, please explain why that offsets the effect it has of lengthening the war (since it makes the Russian and Ukrainian positions more, not less, irreconcilable).