Russia has burnt its bridges with the West already. Unfortunately, a protracted conflict is more in Russia's interest than in the West's. With energy prices skyrocketing, costs of living will continue to go up in the West, while "war fatigue" is already kicking in and Ukraine's needs will fade into the background. Meanwhile, Russia is exporting more energy to China and other places outside Europe than ever (and actually
increasing its oil exports to a country like Italy too, as insane as that may sound) and the ruble is doing well.
