“There’s got to be a way to make them stop”
I’ve been watching the men who study and write about international politics and the prevailing opinion in this group is peace at any cost. Ukraine has to negotiate a settlement that doesn’t “humiliate” Putin. (The thing they seem to universally share is they are at least as old as dirt. Us old guys don’t want any shake-ups.)
Then I was listening to this guy, see link. His theory, which I think is more likely than any other explanation I’ve seen, is that Putin needs the war to survive in power. If he’s correct, then Ukraine might negotiate a settlement that lasts long enough for Putin to force his military to recover and rearm. Putin may also find a way to limit the top to bottom pilfering that has created Oligarchs and rich maintenance men who are stealing parts from parked tanks. But Putin will continue to attack and absorb SOMEBODY because he must in order to remain in power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc0fxWT0FV4&t=312s
Although I have ceased watching the blow by blow, it seems that Putin has obtained his original stated objectives. He has captured the two sepratist areas that were already lost to Ukraine pretty much any way.
The nature of the war has changed with Ukraine doing some pretty serious damage to targets within Russia and on the Black Sea. Today we learn of the resumption of russia targeting Kyiv.
The solution is for Ukraine to cease actions in Russia, formally relinquish the two territories in exchange for reparations to rebuild the areas Russia destroyed. Russia will get the teo territories and if reparations are paid, an end to sanctions.
Or something along those lines.
Russia apparently lacks the military resources and leadership to end the stalemate. A better armed Ukraine has the resources to damage Russia but not to end the stalemate.