Comprehensive, Mark Timberlake.

Agreed, it was not about NATO although it was a big reminder to Putin that he continued to lose territory once of the USSR to the embraces of the West.

Ukraine was Putin's war. Time will tell how specifically this was the case.

Putin is a mobster boss who values territory and subjugated people paying rent. When Ukraine wanted OUT of this arrangement and didn't second to Putin's threats, Ukraine needed to be punished into compliance. With compliance now appearing unattainable, Ukraine has to be killed.

As I say, mob stuff.

Many thanks.