If President Trump ends the Russo-Ukrainian War with a durable peace, then he will certainly deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. But the key word is “durable.” For an accord to last longer than it takes the ink on the document to dry, it has to be acceptable to, and accepted by, both sides.

Mutual acceptability implies some degree of equally distributed gains and losses. Anything else would be perceived by one of the sides as unfair and unjust, likely dooming the accord.

The equal distribution of gains and losses favors the aggressor. In principle, aggression should not be rewarded with any gains. It should be punished with losses, whether in the form of reparations or loss of acquired territory.

At this point, the reality of power clashes with principle, and it may prove impossible to punish the aggressor to the deserved degree. Compromise may be unavoidable, even if unacceptable to the victim.

There are thus two legitimate and durable ways for the Russo-Ukrainian War to end. Russia and Ukraine could agree to a deal that falls short of each of their desired ends, or Russia could have an epiphany and willingly abandon its imperialist war.

In the first instance, both sides would be unhappy, but equally so. That might deter them from seeking revenge or otherwise aggravating their relations. Given Russia’s current rejection of any compromise that........

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