[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Not trying to be hyperbolic here, but I believe the primary Russian goal is to re-integrate all of Ukraine back into Russia, and they are unwilling to accept any resolution that would prevent them from doing that in the future. That's why they don't want NATO, and that's why they want "demilitarization".

Not really sure there is any way around that for Ukraine except to keep fighting until they either lose, or kill enough Russians to change the mind of the government. Doesn't seem like there's any middle ground.

[Boogieman]

True, but that also works in Ukraine’s favor.

They are in an existential battle that is not of their choosing, and where there is no possibility of escape. So they have every reason to fight and no reason to compromise.

Russia, on the other hand, has little to gain from this “special military operation”, and their losses mount by the day. And there is nothing but Putin’s pride keeping them in the fight. It’s not even a matter of national pride really, since they could just say this was “Putin’s folly” and blame him, as he was 100% in control. At some point, the results of such a cost-benefit analysis will become obvious to the more sober minds in Russia, if there are any.

[ought-six]

I can’t disagree with anything you said in that post.