Striking a deal with Putin might be the least bad option

As horror mounts over Russia’s war crimes, the clamour for Vladimir Putin to be held to account is growing. Joe Biden has accused Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine and has labelled the Russian president a ‘war criminal’. Even Emmanuel Macron – who is the Western leader who has done the most to try and talk Putin around – has said he has run out of patience with Putin. Yet Russia’s leader remains unfazed: the 64th motorised brigade, which has been accused of committing war crimes in Bucha, the suburb of Kiev where mass graves were discovered following Russia’s retreat, has in the last few days been awarded an honour in a presidential decree for its ‘mass heroism’.

Putin’s refusal to back down is infuriating. But while it’s understandable that many in the West won’t be happy until Putin ends up in the dock, we should be wary of ruling out a settlement with Russia.