Updated peace plan could be a deal Ukraine will take – eventually
Sarah Rainsford
Eastern Europe correspondent
!Yermak and Rubio – both wearing suits – stand next to one another, flanked by US and ukrainian flags
Ukraine’s allies are quietly discussing a potential peace plan with Russia, one that would involve Kyiv giving up its ambition to join NATO – at least for now.It’s a concession Ukraine has publicly ruled out, but one that could unlock a path to ending the war.
The idea has been circulating for months, but gained momentum during a recent flurry of diplomatic activity. Andriy Yermak, President Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, was in Washington this week, meeting with US senators like Marco Rubio to discuss a possible framework.
Sources suggest the plan, which is still in its early stages, revolves around security guarantees from Western nations, rather than NATO membership. These guarantees would be legally binding, promising assistance if Russia were to attack Ukraine again.
For Ukraine, relinquishing NATO membership is a bitter pill. It’s been a long-term goal, seen as essential for the country’s security. But President Zelenskyy has shown a willingness to be flexible if it means a lasting peace. He understands that NATO membership is not on the table right now, and may not be for years to come.
The biggest sticking point remains the issue of territory. Russia insists on retaining control of Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and parts of eastern Ukraine. Ukraine demands the full restoration of its territorial integrity. Finding a compromise on this issue will be crucial.
This isn’t a deal Ukraine will necessarily embrace today. But as the war grinds on, and with no clear military breakthrough in sight, the conversation is shifting. the focus is now on what a sustainable peace might look like, even if it means making difficult choices.
The plan is being presented as a way to avoid a prolonged stalemate, and to offer Russia a face-saving way out of the conflict.But it’s a delicate balancing act, and there’s no guarantee it will succeed.Ukraine’s allies are keen to ensure that any agreement is one that Ukraine can live with, and that doesn’t simply reward Russian aggression.
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