[Goose]

A Ukraine chock full of Neptune missiles, or newer longer range missiles, and with more and better air defense, is a much more difficult foe for Russia to threaten. Ukraine won't join NATO, she will need to guarantee her own security. And with better long range strike capabilities, she should be able to do so.

Joining the EU and ample rebuilding and security money will make Ukraine too dangerous to choke down for Russia. Ukraine has shown the will to fight, and indigenous capabilities to defeat Russia at home and at a distance. Just needs more of those capabilities.

Totally agree. The rebuilding and security money can come out of money frozen by the war, at least in part. However, the EU is going to have to figure out how to continue that support, as Ukraine has nowhere near the economy necessary to do what is described here. Part of what has to be worked out.

As a frame of reference, Ukraine's GDP in 2020 was 155.3 Billion. Russia's GDP was 1,478.6 Billion, almost 10 times more. The GDP of Russia per capita is roughly triple that of Ukraine. The average Russian is much better off than the average Ukrainian by that measure.
Source: https://countryeconomy.com/countries/com...ine/russia.  For reference, the GDP of Nevada was 145.2 Billion in 2020. Ukraine's GDP is projected to be only half of what it was last year. Ukraine defending itself is going to cost a lot of money that right now is not obviously available. That is an issue for sure.

When the war ends, I think there will be less escalation worry on the part of the West to provide the advanced air defense capabilities Ukraine doesn't possess and may have difficulty developing domestically.

I agree, but I think Ukraine is going to ask for formal assurance (treaty) from Russia that there will be no interference in any defense arrangements Ukraine makes. Otherwise, an unstable situation will exist where Russia can at any time threaten action because of weapon X. Ukraine can't risk that scaring the West out of doing what is required. Of course, Russia can do it anyway, but it is harder when there is a treaty that says you can't. Once again, money will be an issue.

........

Britain will send a "handful" of Stormer Armored Missile Launchers with Starstreak missiles. These are short range, low ceiling weapons but would be pretty effective against most Russian air sorties that are currently occurring, even the fast movers. The level of kit provided continues to ramp up.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18298762/b...raine-war/

A bit of hyperbole here. The UK has already sent Startstreak missiles to the UK in a MANPAD configuration. They did that weeks ago. The vehicular version is a definite improvement but is not a different class of weapon. These missiles require the operator to keep the target in the viewfinder, as I understand it. It is not a "fire and forget" weapon.

[Goose]

A Ukraine chock full of Neptune missiles, or newer longer range missiles, and with more and better air defense, is a much more difficult foe for Russia to threaten. Ukraine won't join NATO, she will need to guarantee her own security. And with better long range strike capabilities, she should be able to do so.

Joining the EU and ample rebuilding and security money will make Ukraine too dangerous to choke down for Russia. Ukraine has shown the will to fight, and indigenous capabilities to defeat Russia at home and at a distance. Just needs more of those capabilities.

Totally agree. The rebuilding and security money can come out of money frozen by the war, at least in part. However, the EU is going to have to figure out how to continue that support, as Ukraine has nowhere near the economy necessary to do what is described here. Part of what has to be worked out.

As a frame of reference, Ukraine's GDP in 2020 was 155.3 Billion. Russia's GDP was 1,478.6 Billion, almost 10 times more. The GDP of Russia per capita is roughly triple that of Ukraine. The average Russian is much better off than the average Ukrainian by that measure.
Source: https://countryeconomy.com/countries/com...ine/russia.  For reference, the GDP of Nevada was 145.2 Billion in 2020. Ukraine's GDP is projected to be only half of what it was last year. Ukraine defending itself is going to cost a lot of money that right now is not obviously available. That is an issue for sure.

When the war ends, I think there will be less escalation worry on the part of the West to provide the advanced air defense capabilities Ukraine doesn't possess and may have difficulty developing domestically.

I agree, but I think Ukraine is going to ask for formal assurance (treaty) from Russia that there will be no interference in any defense arrangements Ukraine makes. Otherwise, an unstable situation will exist where Russia can at any time threaten action because of weapon X. Ukraine can't risk that scaring the West out of doing what is required. Of course, Russia can do it anyway, but it is harder when there is a treaty that says you can't. Once again, money will be an issue.

........

Britain will send a "handful" of Stormer Armored Missile Launchers with Starstreak missiles. These are short range, low ceiling weapons but would be pretty effective against most Russian air sorties that are currently occurring, even the fast movers. The level of kit provided continues to ramp up.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18298762/b...raine-war/

A bit of hyperbole here. The UK has already sent Startstreak missiles to the UK in a MANPAD configuration. They did that weeks ago. The vehicular version is a definite improvement but is not a different class of weapon. These missiles require the operator to keep the target in the viewfinder, as I understand it. It is not a "fire and forget" weapon.