> Did they really launch this invasion on the assumption that the people of Ukraine would just roll over and accept foreign rule? > Their options seems to be (

> Did they really launch this invasion on the assumption that the people of Ukraine would just roll over and accept foreign rule? > Their options seems to be (a) beat a hasty retreat; (b) impose a bloody total subjugation of the population; (c) face a decades-long insurgency that will bleed them dry. > We need to find a variant of (a) that allows Putin to save face, because his default will be (b). This is precisely the conclusion I've come to. I think the only (a) is give him some territory. That seems unlikely. Perhaps retake all of Crimea and then give him part of it? I'm really worried about (b). I have 3 friends/coworkers there.