Ukraine will make Russia suffer though as they seem very determined to protect their country. And the rest of the world will make Russia suffer economically. So this is a lose-lose situation.

Ukraine was always going to lose, going up against Russia, as would most nations. Lose-lose is a better option for the people of Ukraine, if you accept they are desiring to defend themselves (which will entail a higher death toll); the other scenario is Russia wins (taking no losses) and Ukraine loses (nearly everything).

Ukraine can make Russia suffer if the West has given them enough weapons to do so. I'm skeptical that they did in time. They had seven years after Crimea to help Ukraine, and waited far too long to do it to a great enough degree.

That reminds me Finland's fights with the Soviet Union[1]. I can't find the quote now but at some point they said something along the lines of "We didn't win the Winter War but we came in a close second!"

[1]https://nationalinterest.org/feature/how-finland-lost-world-...

All war is lose-lose.

For the active participants, yes. I'm not so sure this applies to the ruling class though.

Everyone already knows that. It's not helpful to say it, you know.

And? If bullying is unavoidable, the next best thing is to make the bully give a pound of flesh for the privilege.

Russia can't even get a gas pipeline to all of its cities

> it got the support of China that will offset any sanctions the the West might impose

If China does this overtly, "the west" / NATO may cut them off as well.

Putin is alienating a lot of ordinary citizens, though. Do you think Ukrainians will peacefully consent to be governed for years after this? There is precedent in history for this kind of outcome, but that wound would be there for a long time.