I have to say I feel a tinge of pity for Russian media. They're all stammering like Sergei Naryshkin, not sure what Putin expects them to say.

António Guterres didn't even try to ask Putin what he wanted, if there was a way to negotiate a settlement. Instead, he treated him like a mad man who has hostages. "Cant we set up a way to get some of them released" was his basic request.

I do think it possible on May 9th that Putin declares victory and allows for a cease-fire or starts withdrawing troops. Not likely, but possible.