I hate how “anti-war” has been hijacked by these people to mean, let imperialist countries invade whoever they want with no consequences. (in the case of tankies, any imperialist country that isn’t in NATO).
"Tankies" (leftist in general, who tends to be against war due to internationalism) see Ukraine for what it is, that is a proxy war between two part of the oligarchy that only profits the rich:
MAGAs (fascists) support russia because of ideological proximity. The US couped the USSR and empowered fascists, about 30 years before the USSR coup'ed the US and empowered fascists. Tables are turning, but nothing change.
Liberals are whining because ending the war would be bad for the nasdaq. They are (as usual) trying to equate leftists with litteral nazis. Better hitler than the popular front. The issue with centrists is that they are very permeable to jingoist propaganda. They probably were the one thinking saddam had weapons of mass destruction.
Meanwhile my friend in Kiev calls ukraine north korea. You know, coz they cannot leave.
Your description of the tankie position doesn't explain why they call for Ukraine to surrender like Russia isn't the aggressor. Leftists in general do realize it's a proxy war like you said, but we call for the invader to stop invading. Because, you know... The victim of an invasion surrendering doesnt usually lead to good outcomes for the victim.