[Goose]

I was just commenting on the part you called out. I’m not sure why the statement about Ukraine’s unwillingness to cede territory is credible though.

IMO there are some things that are pretty clear. It is currently the official policy of the Ukrainian government that they will not cede any territory, period. As a serving officer, that must also be the "policy" of the Col. It is also pretty clear that the Ukrainian government adopted this policy because it was almost universally held by it's citizenry. They are all fighting against Russia and suffering daily. Obviously, for the military this suffering and effort is immediate, proximate, and continuous. The fact that they are "all in" should surprise no one. Anything less would be unexpected.

It is also equally true that this war has to end someday. How it will end and on what term is TBD. Right now, Ukraine couldn't get a "deal" from Russia that would trade land for peace. At some time in the future, that may not be the case. It is totally hypothetical. Therefore, given the emotional costs they are currently suffering, as well as the physical ones, no Ukrainian soldier is going to worry much about what a potential swap might look like. For them, it is all or nothing at all. That is true today. In the future, if there is a real "offer" on the table, there may be some room for compromise. It may largely depend on the "correlation of forces", not the citizen's preferences at that point.

One thing that would keep all Ukrainians awake at night if they chose to dwell on it is that even if they drive Russia out of Ukraine, Russia will still be there. Russia is also the best natural trading partner Ukraine has. That is dictated by geography. It is improbable that Russia will suddenly become a peace-loving "good neighbor". They can always come back. Even a complete victory is not a bed of roses. Ukrainians know this, but right now they have bigger problems and can't take on any more anxiety due to what might happen subsequently. They are right now very much in a "just win baby" situation.

[Goose]

I was just commenting on the part you called out. I’m not sure why the statement about Ukraine’s unwillingness to cede territory is credible though.

IMO there are some things that are pretty clear. It is currently the official policy of the Ukrainian government that they will not cede any territory, period. As a serving officer, that must also be the "policy" of the Col. It is also pretty clear that the Ukrainian government adopted this policy because it was almost universally held by it's citizenry. They are all fighting against Russia and suffering daily. Obviously, for the military this suffering and effort is immediate, proximate, and continuous. The fact that they are "all in" should surprise no one. Anything less would be unexpected.

It is also equally true that this war has to end someday. How it will end and on what term is TBD. Right now, Ukraine couldn't get a "deal" from Russia that would trade land for peace. At some time in the future, that may not be the case. It is totally hypothetical. Therefore, given the emotional costs they are currently suffering, as well as the physical ones, no Ukrainian soldier is going to worry much about what a potential swap might look like. For them, it is all or nothing at all. That is true today. In the future, if there is a real "offer" on the table, there may be some room for compromise. It may largely depend on the "correlation of forces", not the citizen's preferences at that point.

One thing that would keep all Ukrainians awake at night if they chose to dwell on it is that even if they drive Russia out of Ukraine, Russia will still be there. Russia is also the best natural trading partner Ukraine has. That is dictated by geography. It is improbable that Russia will suddenly become a peace-loving "good neighbor". They can always come back. Even a complete victory is not a bed of roses. Ukrainians know this, but right now they have bigger problems and can't take on any more anxiety due to what might happen subsequently. They are right now very much in a "just win baby" situation.