[guerrilla]

> If Ukraine had announced permanent neutrality and buffer state status (like Switzerland) that would have been the best outcome for Russia. No troops deployed, no losses, no big threat of NATO on your doorstep.

Zelensky already conceded to not going in NATO in March[1]... Russia partially withdrew after that (combined with the increasing cost of continuing to try to take Kiev), but I believe the current continuation is about taking the south, as I explained here [2], so it seems disingenuous to continue to claim some kind of self-defense case at this point.

1. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/zelensky-ukr...

2. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31550236

[OrvalWintermute]

The US came very close to war with Russian missiles in Cuba.

If they were far closer there could definitely be war.

[guerrilla]

Yes, and? Ukraine isn't going to be part of NATO, Zelensky already conceded and it's not even possible with a conflict in the country. So that mission is accomplished and is not the actual reason for the continuation of the war, as I said.