UN war crimes resolution

The UN is considering a resolution to prosecute Putin and other high officials for systematic war crimes by the Putin forces.

They deserve prosecution, but I think it would be a mistake to demand they surrender to prosecution. That would be, in effect, a decision to pursue regime change as a war goal.

That decision would have bad consequences for Ukraine, for the kidnapped Ukrainians, and for the Russian people as well. If Putin yields up all of Ukraine's territory, and returns the kidnapped Ukrainians, he will have had a defeat, not a victory. Those war aims are enough. If Putin is willing to give those, we should offer him peace.

To demand more than that would give him more reason to keep fighting instead of making peace.