Anne ApplebaumNov 10, 2023

"A cease-fire means that both sides have to stop fighting. Right now, even if Zelensky agrees to negotiate, there is no evidence that Putin wants to negotiate, that he wants to stop fighting, or that he has ever wanted to stop fighting. And yes, according to Western officials who have periodic conversations with their Russian counterparts, attempts have been made to find out."

On Putin's waiting game:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/11/us-ukraine-support-putin-defeat/675953/

Putin Wants the West to Give Up on Ukraine

Putin hasn’t given up his plans. He thinks Ukraine’s allies will lose interest.

The Atlantic
Show threadAnne ApplebaumNov 10, 2023
The path to end this war does not only lead through the battlefield. We need to start thinking not just about helping Ukraine, but about defeating Russia, using all of the tools available, on and off the battlefield.
Show threadProf Dr Richard S.J. Tol MAE
@anneapplebaum This war will not end while Putin is alive.
Nov 11, 2023 at 7:27amWeb