This war between Russia and Ukraine is one in which a pragmatic leader could call to an end for the sake of his people. For Ukraine there's no further need for Zelensky to still trying to push hard, find ways out to talk with Vladimir Putin, not as a show of weakness but as a pragmatic leader.
I remember when Putin was interviewed by one of the journalists. He says that he is very easy to forgive, but the only thing he cannot forgive is betrayal. Putin felt that Zelensky betrayed them by joining NATO and ignoring the Minsk agreements and that was a fatal thing, because Zelensky indirectly invited NATO to the borders of Russia, which is their enemy. A meeting of the two leaders is necessary to resolve this issue and Ukraine should lower their egos for the good of their citizens.
Russia already borders with NATO.
It is not about what you think it is.
It is very simple. Putin wanted to annex the whole of Ukraine to Russia, just like he did Crimea and Donbas regions.
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” - Mike Tyson
Now, after a serious uppercut, Russia demands Ukraine to recognize the annexed regions and change the constitution to prevent them from ever joining NATO, and they promise to leave Ukraine.
I think Ukraine should ask Russia to demilitarize and decommission all of the nuclear weapons they have, remove their army from the territory
of Ukraine, pay for the damages they have caused, and pay compensation to the victims.
Those should be the demands Ukraine should ask Russia in any future negotiations.
Until then it is an open hunting season for Russian conscripts.