Thread by @Mylovanov

I am back in Ukraine and the mood is pitch black. Ukraine feels betrayed.

"Failing that, the West will have years to repent the betrayal of the courageous Ukrainians, whose only crime was their wish to join the Western democratic order" 1/

rusi.org/explore-our-re…

The RUSI article is softer than the reality on the ground in Kyiv and across Ukraine. Just yesterday, Russia struck Zaporizhya, a major civilian city, with seven guided bombs—each over a ton. This isn’t a front line; it’s an attack on civilians 2/

Russian attacks on civilians have escalated, and the coming winter threatens prolonged blackouts. Some consider leaving, but males face strict mobilization—many expect to be drafted. While some are forced into service, others look for ways to hide or escape 3/

Russia is advancing, with no signs of willingness to negotiate. In this context, talks of peace, ceasefires, or deals feel completely detached from reality 4/

Someone in London recently told me bluntly: 'We have to force Zelensky to accept a deal, and we’ll withdraw support to make it happen 5/

I don’t think this reflects the majority view yet, but Western fatigue is palpable. Many just want the Ukraine war to disappear 6/

This view is delusional. Russia isn’t going anywhere—it’s here to stay and aims to destabilize Europe. If Ukraine falls, the security in Europe will become dire 7/

What’s needed is meaningful financial and military support for Ukraine. This will only happen if Western thinking shifts from fearing nuclear escalation to recognizing the existential need to contain Russia by force 8/

RUSI says "What remains now for Europe is to secure a place at the negotiating table and to argue for NATO membership for Ukraine as part of any settlement." 9/

This view reflects the same desire for the war to disappear, but it doesn't recognize the fundamental threat Russia faces. Accepting Ukraine to NATO is a first step, but it is far from solving the problem of the Russian aggression 10X