Honest question: What is Russia's goal in Ukraine since they would presumably be taking over a portion of a country devastated by the war? If it is "We don't want NATO right next to us!", that doesn't make sense because no matter how far west they extend their territory, NATO will be on their doorstep.
NATO will still be on their doorstep if they do not, so why cede the territory? They can stll keep Ukraine as a buffer zone under their direct control.
Honest question: What is Russia's goal in Ukraine since they would presumably be taking over a portion of a country devastated by the war? If it is "We don't want NATO right next to us!", that doesn't make sense because no matter how far west they extend their territory, NATO will be on their doorstep.
There are a lot of Russians in the territory and they want to take out the biolabs. And Russians still have a thing for killing Nazis.
At the very least, they move NATO away from their capital and more key points of interest within the country
NATO will still be on their doorstep if they do not, so why cede the territory? They can stll keep Ukraine as a buffer zone under their direct control.