[Mick]

I like the good news coming out recently.   THat said, a more pessimistic long-term view remains a shadow in my mind:  

- Russia uses energy to reduce European support of Ukraine
- Russia annexes as much of Ukraine as they can, perhaps after making gains in a 2023 offensive

- Russia invokes "we will use nukes since this is part of Russia" to help defend annexed territories going forward
  --> Ukraine's military acknowledges this:
Ukraine military chief says ‘limited’ nuclear war cannot be ruled out (msn.com)

And...
 - Russia will steal and "disappear" as many Ukrainians as they possibly can to turn them into Russians, much like Stalin did.
US: Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians forced to Russia (msn.com)

[Mick]

I like the good news coming out recently.   THat said, a more pessimistic long-term view remains a shadow in my mind:  

- Russia uses energy to reduce European support of Ukraine
- Russia annexes as much of Ukraine as they can, perhaps after making gains in a 2023 offensive

- Russia invokes "we will use nukes since this is part of Russia" to help defend annexed territories going forward
  --> Ukraine's military acknowledges this:
Ukraine military chief says ‘limited’ nuclear war cannot be ruled out (msn.com)

And...
 - Russia will steal and "disappear" as many Ukrainians as they possibly can to turn them into Russians, much like Stalin did.
US: Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians forced to Russia (msn.com)