Let's Make A Deal

Even if Vladimir Putin is offered a way out of the mess he created I don’t believe he’ll take it.

Why?

Such a deal is fundamentally unjust.  The individuals responsible for the subjugation and slaughter of Ukrainian citizens are basically getting away scot-free.

The second point against it that it’s contrary to the nature of the beast we’re facing.  Although the deal allows the enemy to take their loot with them, plunder (on the part of the leadership) wasn’t their primary goal, unrestrained power.  The apparent governing principle of (to name an example) Putin's behavior in public office is L'Etat cest Moi, literally; "The State, that's Me".  The leader is held to be synonymous with the state, opposition to malfeasance on the part of the leader is treated as anti-government hatred, in effect as nothing less than treason.  Putin's consistent answer to criticism of his actions has been to defame his victim's and his critics, to demand silence and obedience regardless of the consequences to his subjects.  

The statist leader refuses to be subject to any legal restraints, nor does he pay heed to any superior authority.  His victims, those persons who are to be subjected to his whims must be silenced and disarmed.  This is nothing new, the military arm, be it a sword, a pike or a firearm, is the symbol and instrument of political authority.  The citizens of a free nation, armed and ready to defend their lives and liberties, have a commanding voice, which a politician may ignore only at his peril.  Augustus Caesar understood this when he depoliticized the citizen body of the Roman Republic by replacing the citizen militia based army of the republic with a mercenary force loyal to himself.

If presented with a "take the money and run" deal, a power addict would very likely refuse to accept.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Vladimir Putin, following the example of such statist trash as Adolf Hitler and Salvador Allende, ultimately ends up taking the final exit while cowering in a final redoubt.

As much as each of us may prefer otherwise the coming struggle is certain to be a long, bloody, fight to the death.