March 8, 2024

Defeat of Russia

Regardless of how events unfold in Ukraine, Russia has lost. The Special Operation aimed to bring Ukraine back into the Russian orbit, but now Ukraine will sooner or later end up joining Western Europe – in fact, it already has. Taking a few provinces is just a consolation prize, just to avoid admitting defeat. In the end, if Ukraine were to cede some oblasts to Russia, perhaps through a referendum, it would be better for Ukraine. On the other hand, what advantage would Russia gain from acquiring those war-torn oblasts?