Wow, what a load of BS. Of course Putin wanted Kiev, and he wanted to capture Zelensky and his whole government, so that he could put them on trial for the world to see what 'monsters' they were, and what a benevolent country Russia was to rid the world of these monsters. The Americans offered to evacuate Zelensky and his government. Zelensky famously answered: "The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride." Zelensky risks his life by regularly visiting the front line to inspire his troops. Putin just hides and cowers in one of his bunkers almost all of the time, as Ukraine is taking the fight to Russia more and more. And do you know what would really have saved hundreds of thousands of lives? If Putin hadn't decided to invade Ukraine. Simple as that.