>>Ukrainians were better prepared for war than their counterparts

Um... pay attention? The UAF has been training with NATO forces since 2014. They've dropped the old Soviet-style rigid hierarchy, pushed decision making down as low in the ranks as makes sense (typical NATO doctrine). That alone has made them much more effective than a Soviet style army. And the RF army is more hollowed-out by corruption than anyone expected - even the Russians.

More generally, yeah war is bad. Especially for civilians. You're European, yes? Do you learn European history in school? Consider Neville Chamberlain and how well letting a bully have your lunch money works out in the end. "Peace for our time" works out to be worth a respite of a couple of months. Think they'd stop at Ukraine? I don't - and the Poles don't either. Nor do the Balts.

On top of that, it's clear that if the RF and NATO got into a direct conflict, the RF would be badly defeated. That might lead to a nuclear exchange. So, it's important to avoid a direct conflict if at all possible.

Yeah, war is bad for civilians. Nuclear war is worse - by a lot.