The EU’s Ukraine policy is currently underpinned by two key beliefs. First, Vladimir Putin is a predatorial , rapacious ogre who is hell-bent on destroying the EU. Second, this monster should agree to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy – whose country he is viciously attacking – and sign a lasting peace agreement (presumably, using his claws).

Barring a scenario in which Putin is like Shrek – who, despite his ogreish nature, is still fundamentally moral and amenable to rational argument – both claims cannot be true: If Russia’s leader is a beast rattling the gates of Europe, then he must be defeated on the battlefield, not debated at the negotiating table. (Shrek, it’s worth recalling, only wanted to keep his swamp – not expand it.)

Indeed, up until a few months ago European le

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