from Paul Graham | by Paul Graham

I was talking to some people familiar with Russia and the war in Ukraine, and they pointed out something I hadn't considered. Putin couldn't pull out even if he wanted to, because it would make him look so weak at home that he'd probably be ousted in a coup.

Since he can't hope to make advances, the best thing for him would be stasis. Gradually losing a long war of attrition doesn't sound like something anyone would want, but it might be his best option personally.