A number of serious mistakes were made.

The west couldn't believe that Putin would be that stupid, and Putin thought that this would be a quick war and that the west would essentially do nothing as when it invaded Crimea.

That the US has a feeble President doesn't mean that others can't make things happen. Russian banks have their assets frozen and are cut off from the main international transactions system.

Putin has painted himself into a corner.

I am enjoying Youtube videos of Russians getting creamed by drones, stinger and javelin missiles. The 2 to 4 day planned lightning strike has been bogged down, Tanks etc are running out of fuel and supply convoys are being destroyed. There are 200+ Russian prisoners and apparently a division in Russia that has refused to be deployed.

The Ruble has fallen 30%, there is a run on the banks and suddenly Putin wants to negotiate.

Shadowminister wrote: "I am enjoying Youtube videos of Russians getting creamed by drones, stinger and javelin missiles."

Most of the Russian soldiers in Ukraine are conscripts who probably didn't feel they had a choice. I can only feel sadness for the killed and wounded whatever side they are on. Although I am no fan of Lenin when he said, "A bayonet is a weapon with a worker at both ends." he was almost right. Any weapon has a human being at both ends.

No war has all good people on one side and all bad people on the other.

‘Any weapon has a human being at both ends”

Not when the ones on the receiving end are animals.

Dear Is Mise,

You got me.

What does Putin want? Huge gas reserves in Ukraine terrorties.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If61baWF4GE