This is exactly the kind of war that is most unlikely to happen between two <i>liberal democracies</i>[1] according to <i>democratic peace theory</i>[2]. Only a leader whose interests are distinct from the public and who can work without legal constraints can make a personal error of this magnitude.<p>There is no real animosity nor cause for the war between Ukraine and Russia. Both countries lose big in this war.<p>[1]:liberal democracy: democracy with separation of powers, an independent judiciary and a system of checks and balances between branches of government.<p>[2]: Democratic peace theory <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_peace_theory" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_peace_theory</a>