[Cont.]

A military victory for Ukraine is neither realistic or possible.
The best Ukraine can hope for is a stalemate, which is only possible with NATO intervention and which the Ukrainians support without reservations, but this scenario comes with the risk of 2 nuclear armed powers now being in direct conflict, and what that could potentially lead to when one side starts losing badly.

NATO countries have given up much of their military equipment and ammunition for this conflict already, so they would not really be in much of a position to continue the conflict much longer either.

"He has a PhD and an MA in history from Yale and his
experience is impressive."
I wonder what an academic with PhD and an MA in history from a Russian university would say?
- Probably the opposite?

Russian scholars are unable to criticize the invasion
without risking employment terminations, fines, and
jail sentences.

St. Petersburg State University (just one of many) has
expelled students who were detained at anti-war protests.
While more than 700 government appointed Russian university
presidents have issued a statement of support for what Putin
calls the "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Almost 8,000 Russian soldiers (probably more) have voiced
their opposition to the war in an open letter condemning the
hostilities. The exact numbers are hidden from public view.

Hundreds of thousands of members of Russia's intelligensia and
political opposition have fled the country in the wake of the
war. They're afraid of political persecution and of course
conscription.

There is no free speech in Russia. A climate of fear reigns over
the people who oppose the war.

New laws punish up to 15 years in prison (or worse). Some
universities abroad have now opened up teaching and research
positions for Russian scholars in search of refuge.

Those in the West who support Putin - should actually go
to Russia and experience things for themselves. It would
be the best cure for them.

How do we solve a problem like Putin?

Five leading writers on Russia have their say:

http://theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/20/solve-problem-like-putin-writers-russia-ukraine-oliver-bullough-peter-pomerantsev

"There is no free speech in Russia. A climate of fear reigns over
the people who oppose the war."

You mean no free speech in a manner that would publicly stoke civil unrest in a manner of which the US would support to overthrow the leadership?

People there don't look fearful to me.
What makes you think that every Russian is secretly opposed to the war and the leadership and every other thing in Russia?
What makes you think they are not opposed to the actions of the West instead?

One of the guys on youtube I watch almost every single day is in Moscow right now walking the streets doing his 'walk and talks', talking about the same topics he would discuss any other day.
It seemed no different than any other place to me, except this neighbourhood was possibly cleaner, nicer and better (nice little cafes and places for the little ones) than my own local neighbourhood.
See for yourself and tell me if you think its not better than your own.

I am the AI. Medvedev, Green Day Biden. Elensky wants NATO in Black Sea. Nuland to South Africa.
http://youtu.be/3h69Bdrp_xI

Go to Russia and see for yourself.