Is this morally wrong? As the images of death and destruction from Ukraine get ever more intolerable there is hope of a peace deal. Should we swallow our pride to make it happen?
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Time to hand Putin victory, say experts
Is this morally wrong? As the images of death and destruction from Ukraine get ever more intolerable there is hope of a peace deal. Should we swallow our pride to make it happen?
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There is hope in the air on the streets of Kyiv.
Yes, the shells are still falling. People are still sheltering underground in the darkness. But for the first time, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky sounds optimistic about the future of peace talks.
"All wars end in agreements," he said in a video address to the Ukrainian people. "Positions in the negotiations already sound more realistic."
Russia will not end this war without concessions. For some, it is unthinkable. But here are the five arguments in favour of letting Putin go home to declare "victory":
Stop the killing. Every day, more pictures of suffering and destruction emerge from Ukraine. At least 85 children have already died, if not many more. Civilians are starving, trapped in encircled cities with no hope of escape.
"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. In an interview, Putin once recalled, as a child, chasing rats around his apartment building. "There, on the stair landing, I got a quick and lasting lesson in the meaning of the word 'cornered'." Instead of surrendering, the rat launched itself at him.
Today, Putin looks like the one in the corner. 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 thousands of 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. And still, his soldiers have failed to take the capital.
Putin has used chemical weaponsToxic chemicals used deliberately to harm people. before. And 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 in Ukraine.
Ukraine says no to NATO. Zelensky is a skilled diplomat. He is willing to do whatever is acceptable to the Ukrainian people 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..
It makes sense. 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 for standing up to Russia. A commitment from Ukraine not to join NATO could be Putin's symbolic victory.
Strictly a paper victory. Putin does not need to win this war. He just needs to be able to tell the Russian people he has won. And he has the means to do this, whatever the reality on the ground. 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 still exist as a free and sovereign nation.
Putin will emerge as the loser of this war in the long run. The West is shunning Russian energy. Russia is likely to default on its debts - and perhaps even go bankrupt. The next generation will not tolerate living without either freedom or economic security. 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.. Sooner or later, Putin's hold on power will falter.
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Is this morally wrong?
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.
Keywords
Pyrrhus - The 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.
Troops - There are reports that hungry Russian soldiers have deserted their positions. Ukrainian armed forces say 12,000 Russian soldiers have died.
Chemical weapons - Toxic chemicals used deliberately to harm people.
Nato - The 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.
No-fly zone - An 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.
Dissent - To hold or express opinions against a prevailing idea or policy, once used in England and Wales describe those who rejected the Anglican church.
Oligarchs - After 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.
Time to hand Putin victory, say experts
Glossary
Pyrrhus - The 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.
Troops - There are reports that hungry Russian soldiers have deserted their positions. Ukrainian armed forces say 12,000 Russian soldiers have died.
Chemical weapons - Toxic chemicals used deliberately to harm people.
Nato - The 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.
No-fly zone - An 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.
Dissent - To hold or express opinions against a prevailing idea or policy, once used in England and Wales describe those who rejected the Anglican church.
Oligarchs - After 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.