Whether war is long or short, Ukrainians and Russians will pay the greatest price 

However the conflict in Ukraine plays out, the West is likely to fundamental re-think its relations with Russia

A refugee fleeing the conflict from neighbouring Ukraine holds her baby as she sits in a tent at the Romanian-Ukrainian border, in Siret, Romania on Saturday. Romania, which shares around 600 kilometres  of borders with Ukraine to the north, is seeing an influx of refugees from the country as many flee Russia's attacks. Picture: Andreea Alexandru/AP

In the weeks before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, observers debated the likely scale of Russian military action. 

Would Russian president Vladimir Putin pursue the limited goal of expanding Russian controlled territory in eastern Ukraine?