[x]

“The idea that Ukraine was going to throw Russia back to the 1991 border was preposterous, nobody actually believed it.”

That is basically the point here. Neither side is going to win an absolute victory, so there will be a negotiated settlement. It would be best if Russia gave up some of the conquered lands and if other parts were demilitarized, but this is going to end at some point, and it won't end in total victory or even in a return to the status quo.

[Svartalfiar]

It would be best if Russia gave up some of the conquered lands and if other parts were demilitarized, but this is going to end at some point, and it won't end in total victory or even in a return to the status quo.

True, but what's gonna prevent Russia from trying this again in the future? The bear already promised not to invade if Ukraine gave up their Soviet nukes, and we see how that eventually turned out.

And if NATO countries are smart, they won't try to add Ukraine (not because of Russia's bitching, but because of what does Ukraine really bring to the table for it?).