New Delhi, Dec. 30 -- February will mark four years of the Russia-Ukraine war, but there's a glimmer of hope that a peace deal will prevent a fifth year of hostility.

High-level talks are underway. Kyiv wants Ukraine's sovereignty backed by the West's military as well as a treaty pledge by Moscow.

The US appears ready to extend or enable a security shield for this purpose, but without formally admitting Ukraine to the Nato alliance.

America's European allies, keen to let their embattled neighbour into the EU, may have to share not just much of the defence burden, but also bear a sizeable chunk of Kyiv's rebuilding bills.

Yet, the hardest part is likely to be a territorial settlement. Russia has been eyeing the entire Donbas region of ...