Chris Snow has already covered the other stuff so I'll quibble here. Western democracies are run by oligarchs, not "the people". We have some control over the oligarchs but not the government directly.

Anyway, the public has some effect on domestic politics but almost nothing when it comes to foreign affairs. I am the only person in my family and circle of friends following the war. You might be too close to the action to see things from the perspective of the U.S. government. and avg U.S. citizen.

I lost money in the ETF RSX which I bought shortly before the invasion because I just couldn't believe Putin would be so stupid, and then when he invaded, I expected him to quickly get deposed.

I will never get RSX back, but I will get a stronger dollar because the business world I invest in will win in the end (I hope!).

Western oligarchs, that is the ones who have investments in business that take inputs from Russia are not going to let up. The money will keep flowing in as long as Ukraine appears to be holding Russia off. That is why Bahkmut is so important. Tragic yes. Heartbreaking. But that's not Ukraine's fault. That's our fault, IMO, for not giving Ukraine more weapons and maybe even boots on the ground.

Anyway, as much as many Ukrainians might be tired, that's far from wanting to quit, to make all their lost lives in vain. So float your theory to them that they should partially give up and let me know that reaction ;)