And, I hasten to add, this is not whether I like it or not -...

And, I hasten to add, this is not whether I like it or not - this is reality and is how it will be.

As I said some time ago (and others) from an entirely neutral point of view - Zels was likely promised something, and he stupidly went for it. What he should have done was to ask for Western boots on the ground - no boots - no war by him! At that point he could have had peace with Russia with no loss of life or land BUT with no NATO. He SHOULD be prosecuted for stupidity for taking on a superpower on his own.