In Western capitals, talk of 'ceasefire' and 'negotiations' between Ukraine and Russia is rife. But any peace - temporary or lasting - would almost certainly mean Kyiv being forced to concede the territory currently occupied by Moscow that has been seized in its illegal war; the bloodiest on European soil since the Second World War.
But what does that mean in practice - for those who, with elderly relatives, for instance, are forced to remain behind? Or who lose their homes and become refugees in their own country after the Russians arrive?
On a recent trip to Eastern Ukraine, in and around the frontline city of Kharkiv, The Telegraph spoke to two women displaced by the war, and who are now supported by one of the newspaper's charities that we are supporting this year: Humanity and Inclusion.
The first, Tetiana, lived in what in territory that is now held by Moscow. Her home was later liberated by the Ukrainian army - or what was left of it. But not before she had been forced to ensure some of the horrors you are about to hear.
Testimony is hard to come by from people who lived, or still live, in the occupied territories. They fear retribution - if not on them then on their loved ones. But, surely, it is important to bear witness, so when we talk about signing people's lives away at the stroke of a pen, we at least know what that means.
Vira and her family, including her elderly husband and his 95 year old mother, lived deafeningly close to the front lines when invasion happened: so much so that the Russian shelling ruined the hearing of her mother in law. They stayed for as long as they could. Until they had no choice but to flee.
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