Putin had a clear goal with Ukraine, and we know that by his earlier invasions in Georgia, Moldova and maybe mostly how determent he took Chechnya when he lost first war, and willingly wasted human life's and resources without any involvement by the west except light armes to the resistance in “secret” and not admitted.
A meeting with Putin with no reference and resumes didnt ring a bell with his supporters either!
Ukraine is to Important for russia to leave alone, except a few parts in the west.
But you are right, we can believe what we want, it doesnt change anything, those who can change the future, is the American voters, and the future is not Biden or Trump!
Obama could not lay down weapons and pull out without a good plan, which he failed anyway. He withdraw to fast, and left a chaos because he promised to much, as Trump did with the Afghanistan deal. Stupid and dangerous.