The problem with separatists in Donbas is that they have agency and are not simple extension of Putin's will. Many of them are not even (quasi) state actors, but non state actors, though there are fewer of those now, after there was some internal clean up.
Much like say Kurds (or any other number of factions) in Syria - while their backers can influence them to an extend, they still have their own agendas that they prioritise. And if Kiev can't (or won't) work with them, Donbas is not going to get solved. So Kiev really needs to get it's act together, rein in their own non state groups (they did that to an extend - the rape mansion got closed down few years ago for example) and go ahead with Minsk style steps.
Unless ofc we are considering some sort of one sided military scenario, but even those are less plausible now (if Russia allows them to happen ofc), with locals setting up their own officer schools, repair shops and the like.
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Grumpy as always.
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