Hey, I love to trash and blame Washington as much as you but I don't see this. The conflict was authored by a Europe that wants to keep its standard of living intact at the expense of Russians.

You need to think through that. I'm not saying I'm right. Only that you won't ask some fundamental questions.

Let's say Ukraine capitulates tomorrow. Russia takes over. Then what? Who is going to pay to rebuild Ukraine or Russia's damaged industries and military? Who?! Well, you've clearly said the U.S. won't. So who else? China? Europe? Who is going to pay... your argument essentially leads to Europe paying!

You won't follow your own logic to its (historical) conclusion. Germany did lose WWII but, ironically, won in the end--cheap Russian fuels!!! It partnered with the West to do it, like all Europe.

Washington was happy to be part of that scheme but I don't accept your argument that it authored it.

That, today, the U.S. wants to go another way doesn't change the root issue here.

Russia wants to control more resources and earn more money. Europe tries to talk its way out of the whole mess. In the end it will go to war with Russia to stop Russia from dictating who is going to live better than who...again.