My, admittedly limited, understanding of the war in Ukraine is that it was pushed, foolishly by the US & European partners, towards possibly joining NATO, which Russia will never allow. That ought to have been obvious, but Ukraine is now paying the price. It is to hoped that with an influx of US aid, Ukraine can negotiate from a position of strength, but there must be a conclusion where Ukraine guarantees not to join NATO & to keep its distance from the western alliances.