Ok so all that except the discussion with Paul.

My China theory.

History-It took Nazi Germany 2 weeks to take all of France. Not just a city, the entire country.

To think Russian couldn't have wiped Ukraine off the map in 3 weeks or less is foolish. The only real reason is that Russia doesn't have the number of boots needed to forcibly occupy the whole country.

Instead, Russia is using it's weapons arsenal to push it's way across. This is where my antennaue goes up.

Up to this point, Russia has depleted 60% of its bombs, missiles, etc. The army is committed in majority to marching behind the bombs.

Who's sitting happily watching without aiding or interfering with Russia's war?

China.

Instead, China quietly strengthens it's position.

Increases Naval capabilities and reach via Cambodia

China now makes Russia dependent on Chinese cash to fund the war machine.

China sits back smiling as Russia weakens herself, tactically, militarily, financially.

China has the boots, the boats and the bombs.

When Russia is weakened enough, China can stop buying the wheat and coal. It can just march in and take it.

China will be the ONLY world power in short order and there's nothing the western world can do about it unless nuclear annihilation is preferred to conceding the stage.

China waits, the world starves before it burns and China will have the geography to spread and spare it's people.