Putin offered a peace deal twice and Ukraine refused, likely at western behest both times.
The second time was a less amazing peace deal, so it is clear that Putin was seeking peace.
However, as the war goes on and he gains a greater upper hand and Ukraine's piggybank is getting slowed down due to our political pushback, there's no reason why a third peace deal would even have good terms anymore.
Frankly, Putin picked a really good time to increase the temperature. Our political class is falling apart at the seams, and we are nearly to an election that puts Ukraine's financial future at risk.
If (when) Trump gets in, this war likely ends quickly. But I bet it will end with Russian benefit in regards to captured lands.
The peace deals were specifically made to be rejected. They had terms that Putin knew the Ukrainians couldn't take. If Putin wanted to end the war, we know he could easily do it.
First peace deal was very fair and included a lot of very nice stuff including Russian protection instead of NATO's, which is far more geographically beneficial to Ukraine than NATO as it basically makes an economic and military ally of the greatest forces in the region.
When a peace deal like that gets rejected and you are still winning, you absolutely slant the terms further in your favor for future offers.
You never make the same offer twice when you are conquering someone.
Putin offered a peace deal twice and Ukraine refused, likely at western behest both times.
The second time was a less amazing peace deal, so it is clear that Putin was seeking peace.
However, as the war goes on and he gains a greater upper hand and Ukraine's piggybank is getting slowed down due to our political pushback, there's no reason why a third peace deal would even have good terms anymore.
Frankly, Putin picked a really good time to increase the temperature. Our political class is falling apart at the seams, and we are nearly to an election that puts Ukraine's financial future at risk.
If (when) Trump gets in, this war likely ends quickly. But I bet it will end with Russian benefit in regards to captured lands.
The peace deals were specifically made to be rejected. They had terms that Putin knew the Ukrainians couldn't take. If Putin wanted to end the war, we know he could easily do it.
First peace deal was very fair and included a lot of very nice stuff including Russian protection instead of NATO's, which is far more geographically beneficial to Ukraine than NATO as it basically makes an economic and military ally of the greatest forces in the region.
When a peace deal like that gets rejected and you are still winning, you absolutely slant the terms further in your favor for future offers.
You never make the same offer twice when you are conquering someone.