"I think American negotiators are making a mistake by assuming that this war is solely about territory. This is reflected in their statements—for instance, the idea that if Ukraine were to cede the last two cities in the Donbas, Putin might consider that a way to exit the situation while saving face, and that the war would then come to an end.
There might indeed be a pause—in that sense, I agree. Incidentally, Norman Davies pointed this out 30 years ago: the Soviet Union minus Ukraine equals Russia without the status of a great power. To be a global power, Russia needs Ukraine."
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