You've cited a baseline.
Chronologically the baseline may make some sense.
But some others, perhaps some others native to the region have a different baseline in mind.
Problem is, we / they are years into a blood-spilling War. The challenge is how to end it equitably.
Ethnic Russians aside, I'm not sure simply forfeiting Ukraine sovereignty is the optimal option.
You have an opinion.
I have an opinion. BUT !
We're Americans.
The news I'm getting of it indicates our Western European allies / trade partners are near or at unanimity
in believing it's better / best if Russia exits to Ukraine borders recognized before Russia assimilated Crimea.
We can don't like it all we like, but I gather that's pretty much what EU / NATO wants, & thinks best.
The evidence Ukrainians as a unanimity of individuals share that view is the years of heroic combat they've undergone,
and continue to undergo, against an aggressive enemy that's not merely superior, but by reputation, a global super-power.
Their position on it is not simple philosophy.
They understand, if some or all of Ukraine falls, a NATO member nation may be next. Think domino.
AND ! Article 5. That means NATO at War with Russia.
Western Europe doesn't want that.
It could mean that.
It would not necessarily mean that.
As you know, resolution of the Kennedy administration's Cuber Missile Crisis was:
- the Soviets remove their missiles from Cuba, &
- the U.S. remove its missiles from Turkey.
So your scenario is one possibility.
It's not the only possibility.
Einstein made good use of "the thought experiment".
Pretend the U.S. doesn't exist.
The idea Ukraine has won against Russia for this many years is essentially insane. BUT !
None the less ... Ukraine has held ground quite impressively, FOR YEARS !
So you've asserted multiple times.
UNQUESTIONABLY some of Ukraine's air defenses have been U.S. munitions.
But I've seen enough video reports over the years revealing Ukraine's domestic munitions manufacturing / supply chain.
One of the more recent, plastic nose cones being produced by 3D printers, in a small residential apartment.
Sometimes Ockham's Razor applies.
Some matériel Ukraine's been using has come from the U.S.
Some is domestic / internal Ukraine.
Still others, from Western Europe, for they know: their option is, help Ukraine battle Russia now with Ukraine blood and E.U. treasure, - OR -
battle Russia directly later, with E.U. blood & treasure.
Because Russia cannot possibly risk the peace, prosperity, and national security it enjoyed for decades, before it massed troops on Ukraine's borders,
before it assimilated Crimea?
Conspicuously, flagrantly ridiculous.
