Russia can retreat inside its internationally recognized borders and negotiate a ceasefire at any time.

Russia could end the war today if it wanted to.

Same for the West.

If they do, they loose. That sets their position in the world.

Who’d fear them? They can’t even win over a country which is much smaller and weaker than they are.

How can the West end the war today?

It could end the war quickly by nuking Ukraine, but I don't think that was the meaning behind the GP.

Who fears, say, Canada? Lots of countries go on perfectly well without being feared. Russia could, too.

The problem isn't Russia, inherently. The problem is Putin. He cannot survive (probably literally) without being feared.

Russia has almost 1 million casualties, West hasn’t even arrived.

Huh? Which "West" are you referring to? No NATO member state has invaded any Russian sovereign territory.

russia has a choice. putin doesn't.