I don’t really disagree with anything you’re saying except whether we are morally compelled to assist in what amounts to Ukraine’s suicide/self-genocide.

The reality is that the war has reached a stalemate (at best). Changing the facts will require additional forces and despite all the nice words nobody is seriously considering committing forces to aid Ukraine. That’s facts. Sorry. Escalation leads to WW3 and that’s why everyone has been on egg shells.

The US specifically as security guarantor is an explicit no-go for Russia. If we insist on making this existential for Russia, it becomes WW3. There is no reason Europeans can’t be guarantor. And frankly putting US economic interests in Ukraine with these minerals is a pretty genius idea. The US is ruthless about protecting it’s economic interests.

I like Zelenskyy, he’s plucky and charismatic and has good instincts. But he is not particularly realistic in his demands. For example his repeated assertions that Putin hates Russia just… it’s not workable. Ukraine’s hand is as strong as it’s going to get right now. Hopefully this has rattled him enough that the Europeans talks some sense into him. And frankly I prefer European leadership on this for a number of reasons. It’s far better for Europe if they get their act together and stop groveling to the US for leadership in their own backyard. This is the EU’s turf for Christ sake.