I think you have been sorely misinformed. Russia funded, armed, trained, and supported a separatist army inside Ukraine for its own nefarious purposes. Said army then seized territory in the east and south of Ukraine and then the Ukrainian army had to take it back like any state would. They were not randomly shelling civilians! This is Russian propaganda and it worked. Russia has been trying to destabilise Ukraine almost from its creation. How can Ukraine deescalate the situation with Russia being this aggressive for this long. Could you describe your model of peace with Russia that isn't surrender to the aggressor? Note: The quote above is not in the source linked.

Note: I've read Baud's report, it is insane, it reads like Putin wrote it himself.