Russia Ukraine war, page-223939

"They could be the richest country in all of Europe. I don’t want to give that money and those assets to Putin to share with China,” Graham said."
Kudos to Graham for saying the truth.

That is the prime reason why Putin invade Ukraine, to steal the land and also to protect its gas deals to EU by stopping Ukr supplying to EU.

Difference is if successful Putin will turn UKR into a vassal like Central Asian/Caucasian states under its umbrella, steal it to the bone and send its able bodies in meat waves as he does in Ukraine.
If Ukraine chase out Putin, US/West will turn Ukraine to another Japan, Germany or SthKorea , UKR will have their own democratic government and trade on equal terms with the west.