> Putin and Ukraine are in a stalemate. That takes Russia off the table as a near peer to the U.S. Ukraine, with currently most capable and experienced militar

> Putin and Ukraine are in a stalemate. That takes Russia off the table as a near peer to the U.S. Ukraine, with currently most capable and experienced military in Europe, supported by western countries, is losing. Slowly and while making Russia pay, but losing nonetheless. And if you consider demographics, it kinda lost already. Most people that escaped west won't get back, and many men that were forced to stay will leave soon after they will be allowed to. For last few decades US victories were even less clear and made against countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.