This is also true of the West towards Russia, wanting to re-organize it after the Putin regime loses the war. I've argued from the beginning that if NATO had immediately massed trooped in Ukraine to mirror what Russia was massing on the other side of the border Russia would have backed down (with honor). Or if they attacked, we'd have had a shorter war.

Instead, the West let Putin play his cards knowing that Ukraine would bear the cost--which it did, and still does.

So, like Russia, the West wants to bleed Russia dry then take the spoils just like Russia wants to do to Ukraine. And by this, I don't mean the governments, I mean the oligarchs or big businesses behind each country. They've made long term investments. They don't need the money now. They pretend they have nothing to do with the men dying on the front line, either from Russia or Ukraine or North Korea, etc.

"Free markets" in the West is somewhat a myth. After the fall of the Soviet Union there was some goodwill efforts to bring Russia into Western markets but soon enough the West chose Russian strongmen delivering cheaper prices than democratic leaders who would try to share the wealth. This is the same for every trading partner of the U.S. where that "partner's" value is its resources (not its industry).

Russia could withdraw from Ukraine tomorrow but we have to be honest, the West and Asia will devour it like vultures. And they won't do it nicely. And into the mix other nations will go...World War. (though I think we're there, already).