Thanks for the first voice of reason that might be seen as from the West, that I've heard talking about this stupid war. I've felt the same since it started, and watched events unfold since it started with horror.
It would be really cool if reasoning and common sense like yours would come around, but I fear no-one will accept any blame or responsibility now on the side of the West, stopping the war will be almost impossible, there appears to be now a move towards redefining Ukraine as a new power in Europe, if it somehow survives this war, as our media presents it as if Russia can somehow be be beaten back, and we are all now literally flying the Ukraine flag, and eying up Zelensky as the new President of UK, not just Ukraine. The characteristic blue and yellow of the Ukraine flag has literally become the new liberal emblem in the West, at least throughout Europe, replacing the LGBTQ spectrum, and the UK government is dangling a carrot of funded accommodation and automatic UK pasports for all Ukraine refugees.
There will be a lot of egg on a lot of faces if they stand down now, there is a lot of blood on their hands, and yet the seemingly peace loving liberals in power should have known better than anyone, that pouring weapons and mercenaries into the already volatile situation in Ukraine was the most harmful thing that could possibly have been done in response to Russia's "Operation".
I really hope I am wrong, but I fear the only way it might be stopped now, is sudden regime change in Europe, not Russia.
Like you said, the bear was cornered, and is now attacking with devastating damage. How is it now appeased to stop, without admitting, it is actually we who are the war criminals?