We did not start this war, we are a peace-loving country that gave up its nuclear weapons for guarantees of non-aggression and security guarantees. We do not want the war to continue. We propose to stop at the front line that is now! There have been many such proposals, but russia is not going to do this, they want to take away more of our territories. They want our guys to withdraw from our Ukrainian territories, which have fortifications in fields where it is impossible to defend themselves. You hear about it - defend yourself!!!!!!!!!!! Do not attack, only defend yourself!!!!! We are defending ourselves, is this not clear?
unfortunately its more complicated than that.
From the Russian PoV , Ukraine was supposed to be a buffer state (already a big loss from USSR days); not one hosting military bases to the benefit of hostile states which it had
already started to become. They could not tolerate that there would be all kind of last generation missiles and weaponry pointed at them from Ukrainian territory and US fleet in Sebastopol in 5-10 years. It was a casus belli. Not to mention all the strategic resources that could be controlled in case of a successful campaign.
Ukraine is a sacrificial pawn in a big game of chess. The US/CIA fomented a coup in Ukraine, financed your current govt, raised the stakes and provoked Putin into the war. From the Russian PoV they are
defending themselves just like the US is expected to defend itself if Russia had fomented a coup in Mexico.
Not saying Putin is a saint or a good guy. But he is acting rationally and I believe he is one who genuinely believes he is acting in his country own interest while it is rather obvious the Zelensky clique is just trying to cash in as many billions of USD as they can before the war is over (hence the need to make it last till the last Ukrainian standing) and they can all retire in places such like Monaco, Italy, Bahamas etc where they already have many 8-9 digits usd properties.
Not saying that its a "right" thing that smaller countries destiny is to be bullied or to be slaves of the bigger country. Its just the way the world has been for thousands of years. Cards are not being dealt equally.
What happened happened. So now what do belligerants want ? if both sides can't agree to an agreement that could be expected to last decades and not a couple years, then more grief.
As a EU citizen i don't support the official policy of supporting financially and militarily Ukraine, i believe it may lead to a more generalized conflict. I don't want my children to fight for your country. I don't believe it is our war. I believe our politicians didn't act for your true interests but for their own interest ie. virtue signaling (to win votes) + corruption taking a cut with money flowing back from Ukraine to their pockets and they don't care at all about young Ukrainian dying + making a power grab. I believe this war could have never happened and if we could stop this insanity and be all friends again, we would be a prosperous continent.
Instead Europe is falling into social and economic chaos, and now war, and from where i live in Asia, whereas 35 years ago i felt Asia was the 3rd world compared to Europe; now i feel exactly the opposite...and its becoming worse every year at an accelerating pace.