The Russo-Ukraine war has been going on for many decades and there's a lot of 'history' on both sides of ruthlessness.
That's not true.
If I am understanding your post correctly, you are saying that you believe Putin would fight us on our own soil? I'm not in agreement with that unless Putin were to be backed into a corner.
He absolutely would. Have you been ignoring all the posts and stories about the Russians having their eyes on Alaska and want it back? Here's the latest in a long string of such threats and stories coming out of the Kremlin:
Putin Ally Calls for Alaska's Return to Russiahttps://www.newsweek.com/vladimir-solovyov-calls-alaskas-return-russia-2006979
History teaches us that when a totalitarian dictator (like Putin) and his lackeys say they want something and are threatening to take it, then perhaps we should listen to them.
The war is between Putin and Ukraine and our monetary help and "talks' sure as heck in the past 4 years haven't accomplished a whole lot other than feeding BILLIONS into the pockets of others with a tremendous amount of destruction and blood spilled on both sides.
That's not true either. Has Kyiv fallen? Is Zelensky still president? Have the Russians crossed the Dnipro River? How about Kherson and Odessa? And remind me again where the Russian Black Sea fleet is? Answer: At the bottom of the Black Sea.

Z on multiple occasions has begged the U.S. for more aid; again and again and again.
Just like Winston Churchill did in 1940. And why wouldn't he? he's trying to save his country. Wouldn't you if you were in his position? Remember that he had the chance to run away and live in relative comfort somewhere else (just like the Afghan president) but instead chose to stay and fight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkNiYYzHeDsDo you not respect that at all? Seems like Zelensky is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.
So -- who is surrendering?
You are, for one. "Enough is enough!" Did you not say that?
We are surrendering to Ukraine and giving them whatever they ask for.
That's not true either. How many times has Zelensky complained when Biden refused to send certain long range strategic weapons, or else attack the Russians on their own territory?
Perhaps Z himself has not profited monetarily,
Finally! There is ZERO evidence that he has profited in any way from this war. In fact, it appears to have taken a heavy toll on him. He looks tired and has aged noticeably.
Zelensky in 2022:

Zelensky in 2025:

Does he look like he's having a good time fighting the Russians?
but I find it hard to believe that no one in Ukraine has made $$ off this war and as long as they are in a position to gain monetarily
Perhaps, but that is the nature of wars. Ever hear of the "Merchants of Death" in the U.S.?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchants_of_death what incentive is there for Ukraine to resolve/withdraw this war and as long as Putin feels threatened (NAT0) what incentive is there for him to resolve/withdraw?
That's complete and utter BS that Putin feels threatened by anybody. NATO is just an excuse that he conjured up to try and justify his invasion of Ukraine and prior attacks on other countries (like Chechnya and Georgia). If Putin truly feels threatened by NATO and believed that he was mitigation that threat by swallowing up Ukraine, then his strategy backfired totally, with Finland and Sweden joining the alliance and cutting Russia off from the North Atlantic via the Baltic Sea. Well played, Vlad!!!
And BTW, what makes you think that Putin actually wants to end the war and negotiate in good faith? He hasn't honored any agreement he has ever signed.
