No. It was Russias inability to accept sovereignty of Ukraine. How is that hard to comprehend?

Let me just try to understand your position here: Ukrainians are warmongers?

What does that make the Russians?

Amazing that you're being downvoted for this. The comment you are responding to is insane. Basically "I hope that the Ukrainians continue to suffer and die, but not for a good long-term outcome for themselves, but rather so that I can see Russians suffer." It's close to psychopathy.