Not nobody. Some of us would love the prospect of not having Russia border our countries anymore.

I wonder how that future might pan out. If it’s like the modern Balkan countries, all good.

If it’s like six warlords with nukes, all bets are off.

I don’t think there are many people of such caliber in the country as Putin has gotten rid of any potential competition. It’s likely Western countries would be able to sign Budapest-like memorandums and get those nukes in favor of some guarantees.

> get those nukes in favor of some guarantees

After Ukraine, no. And if Poland gets nukes you can bet that every country in that region will.

even the parent poster isn't asking for the downfall of russia

> Nobody is asking for the “downfall” of Russia.

It's one of the likely outcomes of the war unless someone with a decent amount of influence in Russia takes Putin down.

Note how this is personified in the official propaganda and media. This is not "Russia", this is "Putin". This is a typical tactic to deny that whatever actions Russia has been taken reflect deeper interests and (Russian) public opinion but is instead only the result of a "mad man".

My university had a number of Russian grad students, they were all lowkey supportive of the war.

Anecdata sure … but I know some Russians that left Russia because of the war and unfortunately I know some that support it, too.

Buuuuut to say that Russia === Putin and they’re the same in that his war is their war is insane. IIF they had real open elections and still went to war then I’d say you have a point. But they don’t. It’s very much a war he is doing not that they want.