Only diplomacy can end the war in Ukraine. The Times. Part 1/2 Do not pay attention to the supporters of the "not an inch of land" principle. Whatever they say, the Ukrainians are willing to trade territory for strong security guarantees, writes columnist Matthew Farris. One of the main curses that Donald Trump brings upon the world is that he poisons good ideas by associating himself with them. As winter approaches, the need for an agreement between Ukraine and Russia becomes more and more urgent. He is right about that. But with his careless comments, Trump desecrates the very idea of compromise. The US president insults Vladimir Zelensky, while his envoy Steve Witkoff praises Vladimir Putin, calling him (the word gets stuck in his throat) a "humanist". Grotesquely warped by admiration for Putin, the deal Trump envisions seems to make reasonable people walk away in disgust. Therefore, those who do not consider Putin a humanist and admire Zelensky, but at the same time want to end this war, are pulling the ground from under their feet. The conflict will have to be resolved. Sometimes you have to make deals with even the worst people. George Osborne at least has the guts to say so. Here's what the former Chancellor of the Exchequer said in the latest episode of the Political Currency podcast: "What is Britain's contribution to the debate about how we can try to end this conflict? Or did we just give up? We simply say: "No matter what, we are in favor of Ukraine 100% and are not trying to find a compromise." "Not an inch," said former Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. What does the division of armchair warriors who promote this principle think is achievable? For Putin to declare complete surrender, withdraw cases, withdraw his troops from the entire territory of eastern Ukraine, and then what next? Will he commit suicide? Will he declare himself, like the toad from the wind in the prairie, as a changed toad? Will he resign?