There is hope in the air in Kyiv.

Yes, the shells are still falling. But for the first time, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky sounds optimistic about peace talks. 

"All wars end in agreements," he said. "Positions in the negotiations already sound more realistic." 

Here are five arguments in favour of letting Putin declare "victory": 

Stop the killing. Every day, more pictures of suffering and destruction emerge from Ukraine. At least 85 children have already died. Civilians are starving, trapped in encircled cities. 

"There will be those who say, rightly, that Putin deserves nothing but total defeat," said former British leader Tony Blair on Tuesday. "But the burden of this struggle is being borne by Ukrainians, not by us." We must do whatever it takes to end the bloodshed. 

Don't corner the rat. Putin once recalled, as a child, chasing rats around his apartment. "There, on the stair landing, I got a quick and lasting lesson in the meaning of the word 'cornered'." The rat launched itself at him.

Today, Putin looks like the cornered. He is emerging as a modern-day PyrrhusThe ancient king of Epirus in northern Greece. The phrase 'Pyrrhic victory', meaning any military success which comes at a very high cost to the victor, originates from the heavy losses he suffered in battles. , willing to sacrifice his troopsThere are reports that hungry Russian soldiers have deserted their positions. Ukrainian armed forces say 12,000 Russian soldiers have died.  for tiny victories.

Putin has used chemical weaponsToxic chemicals used deliberately to harm people. before. After the invasion, he moved Russia's nuclear weapons to "combat ready" status. If we push him further, he may resort to doing something terrible. 

Ukraine says no to NATO. Zelensky is a skilled diplomat. He is willing to do whatever is acceptable to end the war. This week, he played down Ukraine's prospects of joining NATOThe North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was founded in 1949 to unite Western democracies in Europe and North America against the perceived growing threat of the USSR. It now has 31 members..

The alliance refused his calls for a no-fly zoneAn area over which certain aircraft are prevented from flying. Since they involve shooting down enemy aircraft, an NFZ in Ukraine would likely lead to war with Russia. and watched while Ukraine suffered. A commitment from Ukraine not to join NATO could be Putin's symbolic victory. 

Strictly a paper victory. Putin does not need to win. He just needs to tell the Russian people he won. Despite signs of dissentTo hold or express opinions against a prevailing idea or policy, once used in England and Wales describe those who rejected the Anglican church., the majority of Russians will believe what they hear on state-run television.

The West has already won. A few weeks ago, Ukraine's very existence as a national entity looked in doubt. Now, even if it makes concessions, it will exist as a sovereign nation.

Putin is the loser. The West is shunning Russian energy. Russia is likely to default on its debts. The next generation will not tolerate living without either freedom. Nor will the oligarchsAfter the collapse of the Soviet Union, most of the country's economy fell into the hands of corrupt businessmen who became known as oligarchs. Putin cemented his early popularity by cracking down on these oligarchs, although he has since created a new oligarchy that is loyal to him.. Putin's hold on power will falter. 

Yes: This is an unjust and unfair war. Putin cannot be allowed to win it in any way. The world must see that Putin is the loser. If they do not, a repeat is possible.

No: A compromise never completely satisfies anybody. But however painful, the West must do everything possible to stop the suffering in Ukraine before Putin has the will to press the nuclear button.

Or... We do not yet know the terms of any deal. For some, a promise that Ukraine will never join NATO is an acceptable compromise. But surrendering parts of eastern Ukraine to Russia may be a step too far.