[bert]

Russia is now a rump state

[Dr. Franklin]

Russia is now a rump state

In terms of realpolitik, the only way to justify the West permitting Russia to keep part of Eastern Ukraine would be a practical trade that enhances the security of Europe. That would be Russia ceeding Kaliningrad to Poland, or allowing it to become a demilitarized neutral state. Putin is unlikely to agree to that, nor will he volutarily permit an independent Belarus. So, the war will slog on further until a new president takes office in Januayr 2025.