As the war in Ukraine approaches its third month, there are a few conclusions worth noting.
First, the Russian military has revealed itself to be a bumbling mess. A military that is devoid of skilled commanders at the top and motivated soldiers at the bottom. Second, the West, so often divided on Russia policy in the past, has responded to Vladimir Putin’s invasion with an unparalleled, coordinated sanctions campaign. Third, Ukraine is proving to be a far more ferocious defender than many analysts predicted.
Until a large-scale battle in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region is settled, diplomacy isn't happening. The battle in the Donbas is already underway. The Russians have been conducting shaping operations, surging supplies, and stationing most, if not all, of their ground forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The West is accelerating weapons shipments to Ukraine and sending heavier weapons platforms, including Mi-17 helicopters, howitzers, and armored personnel carriers.U.S.