“A year ago, the Russians would likely have accepted this offer so long as they had guarantee of Ukrainian neutrality.”
Are you saying that if Ukraine had offered neutrality a year ago Russia would not have invaded? Yes or no?
Yep. And now Russia would be foolish to stop at anything but the whole enchilada. Every major western leader has openly declared they are at war with Russia, the goal is the break-up of Russia, etc...
There will be no peace with a divided Ukraine.
Nothing has changed. A year ago Putin and his ilk thought Ukraine was part of Russia and Ukrainians were just “bad” Russians. Tomorrow you’ll think the same. The only question is if you’ll admit it.