Putin declares four areas of Ukraine as part of Russia

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Sidelining him was the right thing to do but it hasn't worked. Its screwed Europe's economy leading to political destabilisation. It didn't stop him invading Ukraine and it's led to 200,000 odd deaths. It's not working. We can carry on. Or we can seek peace or we can massively ramp it up and risk a far more serious conflict.

US, Ukraine and Russia will very likely enter peace talks in the coming days.

Seriously now, what do people want to hear on the ten o clock news tonight?

"Peace talks fail as Russia launches missiles into Ukraine killing dozens"

or

"Peace talks to take place next week" ??

There is no optimal solution, but there never is. The option of peace is at least worth exploring though.

Agree. Macron, Biden and Johnson encouraged Zelenski to keep the war going from the start, giving £100's billions of support. I'm not sure what all those wailing voices from this side of the Atlantic are wanting - perhaps keep the war going for another 6 months by which Ukraine will be totally beaten.