Putin Has No Good Options Left; There Is No Good Endgame For Russia

[Warpy]

5. There is only one way for Putin to save face at this point

and right now, that's what this is all about.

The diplomats need to get into it. An agreement to keep Ukraine out of NATO and completely neutral, at least for a limited period of time (Putin's lifespan) needs to be obtained. Russia can then claim victory, Putin will get his parade, and it will be over except for the grief and the rebuilding.

I keep seeing "progress on the diplomatic front," so perhaps a few clearer heads in Russia will prevail and something like this will be achieved.

There is no way Russia can win this, even had they been better prepared for this kind of war. While throwing everything they have at Ukraine will take the country, there is no way they can keep it. The small wars over the last century should tell them why.