Its pretty clear what the objectives are. They want assurances that Ukraine never becomes part of NATO.
We both know that's not going to happen. Not without some "convincing"
In the absence of that they will destroy some military assets, come for the leadership in Kiev and consolidate buffer in Crimea and Lugansk and Donetsk.
They will pay a price to do that without destroying towns and cities and there is a good chance that Ukraine will shell them once they are in the towns and cities.
The best outcome for long term peace IMO is for Ukraine to be like India - non aligned buying from both Russia and USA.
