How does a war end?

When the conflict in Ukraine first started, a lot of people predicted that Russia would win.

But that hasn't happened. In fact, the Ukrainian army,

backed by the West, has succeeded in holding off Russian forces and even reclaiming

territory. But as Putin faces losses on the battlefield, he appears to be growing

more volatile. Things have not stopped escalating. And this got me thinking, how

can a war like this end? How does any war end? I'm

Gabriel Sierra and this is why it matters. Today we turn once again to our very

own Richard Haas to ask some big questions about war, compromise,

and all the shades of gray involved in negotiating peace. The following interview is largely uncut.

All right, Richard Haas, welcome back.

Always good to be with you, Gabby.

Season six of Why It Matters, and you've stopped by for your

what's up in the world update. Unfortunately, we are still discussing the war in Ukraine.

I just sort of want to start by saying that it seems like Putin's not doing as well as he thought he would,

we all thought he would, which is a good thing in theory, right? But it seems to be that it's becoming more and more volatile as defeats pile up and it's kind of getting scary even though he is losing. So just this morning, he launched, you know, a large-scale missile attack that struck at least 10 cities in Ukraine so is it good he's losing is it bad he is he losing?

There's 10 questions in there to a pack. You're welcome. So let me say a few things.

The trends in the war on the battlefield are against Russia.

That is true.

Ukraine knows why it's fighting more.

Its troops are better trained, they're better motivated,

seem to be better armed, certainly better led. Every day that goes by it looks like

...