Alternatively there could be a realpolitik play in action here by the West. Bait Russia into attacking Ukraine by withdrawing western troops, creating intelligence stating that Russia should be able to take Kiev in 3 days, and making it look like Ukraine is weaker than they really were.
Then supply Ukraine with enough equipment to prolong the war, but not enough to win it in order to weaken Russia and it’s allies long term by dragging it into a sustained conflict they can’t afford to lose, but also likely can’t win.
Not saying this is the case, just saying I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.
Or? Here is one I have been thinking about lately.
Some say Russia wants Ukraine back as its rightful land and Kviv is the original Russian capitol. The problem (in Putins mind) seems to be the area is full of Ukrainians
What if Putin could have taken Kviv in three days but that just makes it so he needs to deal with millions of Ukrainian men.
OR drag the war on for years untill all those Ukrainian men are dead, or at least the ones able to reproduce. Then when he takes Ukraine it's only got women and old men left. It seems the average age of Ukrainian soldiers keeps climbing. When it gets high enough Putin mat kick the invasion into high gear.
The average age of Ukrainian soldier is older than 40 as the country grapples with personnel problems. - Document - Gale Academic OneFile
<em>Gale</em> Academic OneFile includes The average age of Ukrainian soldier is older than 40 a by . Click to explore.
go.gale.com