jaw-dropping as the Russians.

From the standpoint of peace and stability in Ukraine, all parties have to return to an agreement which would be very similar to the Minsk II agreement.

To understand this, you have to take a closer look at the Minsk II agreement: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk_agreements

Of course, the agreement is tilted in Russia's favor and the Russians wanted it implemented. While this is true, it beats the alternative - war and the agreement explicitly calls for the territory integrity of Ukraine (#9). What the Russians really wanted were #11 and #12. Basically, the Russians were trying to change Ukraine government from a federal state to a confederal state. Why? The difference being: In a federal state like Canada, only the federal government of Canada can negotiate, let's say a trade agreement with EU. Once done, individual province like Ontario or Alberta doesn't get a vote. While in a confederal entity like EU each member gets a vote and can veto the agreement. Each member state would have to ratify the agreement. 

That's why I am constantly saying the initial Russian goals and objectives are very limited and fairly reasonable. Further, the Russians wanted Luhansk and Donetsk to stay within Ukraine NOT to have the regions to secede. They understood within a confederal state the veto power of those two regions would ensure Ukraine can never join NATO without their consent. And this is why Americans are so dead set against the implmentation of Minsk II agreement. 

Of course, your average white folks are too stupid and too brain-washed to understand the move and counter-move by both the Russians and the Americans. For them, the Russians are bad and the West is good. I only feel sorry for the Ukrainian civilians: they are caught between two ruthless powers. Russia is ruthless in achieving its security objectives and they don't care which country they would destroy and whom they have to kill. And the West (US) is ruthless in its attempt to degrade Russia and they don't care what lies they have to propogate and which country or whom they have to sacrifice. Oh, well finally I would also blame the stupid Ukrainian government for allowing themselves to be used as cannon fodder.