Here is the deal to set up the "off ramp" for Vladimir Putin regarding his current problem with Ukraine.
1. All Ukrainian properties, including Crimea, are recognized as part of Ukraine's sovereign territory;
2. For this concession:
--- there will be "no war" crimes trials;
--- Russia will be invited to join the current G7 (if it would so choose to)--but this opportunity will only be good as long as Russia works symbiotically with the West. The West is not Russia's enemy. In fact, it should be Russia's best friend. Russia has a history tied to the West a lot more than a history that is tied to the East.
--- Russia in effect will start shifting over to a more-democratic form of government, guided by Putin during the conversion.
In other words, Putin does not need to look like a loser or an asshole. He was only trying to get the West's attention to recognize and appreciate what Russia could bring to the West. The West got the message, and thus conceded to recognize Russia as a good working partner.
That's the off ramp!!! Better working relationships between Russia, NATO, and the United States. That's a winning combination for all. No one needs to know that Putin doesn't have any other options that are better than this one. And when you sit down and think about it--it is not a bad deal at all--the entire world benefits.
Interesting thoughts. But I think Putin isn't quite sane and he seems more concerned about not admitting defeat, and any withdrawal will be viewed as a defeat. He will likely level and burn Ukraine down and claim that as a victory. A "if we can't have it, no one can" mentality that he can pitch as protecting Russia from Ukrainian agression - which of course is bogus.
Whether Putin is sane or not is yet to be determined. I am still giving him the benefit of the doubt. Until he goes ballistic we should do everything we can to come to a peace agreement. And giving him an "economic" out is the way to go--Russia should in fact join NATO. Russia needs to worry more about China than it does the West.
Once the free world pulls Russia into the fold, China will have few options either and it will have to join the fold, too.