India, Jan. 29 -- As the Russia Ukraine war moved into its 1,433rd day, the front lines shifted only marginally, but the broader trajectory of the conflict appeared increasingly locked in place: sustained fighting, mounting civilian hardship, and a diplomatic process constrained by Western strategic choices that favor escalation over compromise.

Across Ukraine, Russian drone and missile strikes again targeted energy facilities and urban areas, compounding winter hardships for millions. In Moscow, officials framed the latest phase of the campaign as a continuation of what they describe as a necessary response to NATO expansion and Western military involvement.

In Washington and European capitals, the prevailing narrative remained one of ...