When Russia invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago, President Joe Biden set three objectives for the U.S. response. Ukraine’s victory was never among them. The phrase the White House used to describe its mission at the time—supporting Ukraine “for as long as it takes”—was intentionally vague. It also raised the question: As long as it takes to do what?

Why Biden’s Ukraine Win Was Zelensky’s Loss

Taking back all the territory seized by Russia was never part of Washington's plan

^{Simon Shuster (Time)}