I see no alternative to full NATO membership for Ukraine, and a partial territorial concession to Russia (most likely, Crimea). Russia will remain a hostile, predator state even after the fighting stops. It is an absolute certainty that it will rearm and re-invade in several years, as long as Putin and his ilk remain in power. Putin's annexation of the 4 Ukrainian oblasts has made this war impossible to settle without either complete military defeat for Russia (inconceivable) or a territorial compromise. There could be a U.N. organized plebiscite in the Donbass to determine whether to stay in Ukraine or in Russia. But for this to happen, all the residents who were forcibly relocated to Russia must be allowed to return and vote (if that is their wish). Otherwise the plebiscite would be meaningless. Russia must agree to keep the Sea of Azov open to international shipping, and Ukraine must agree to allow Russia to transit through Ukrainian territory to resupply Crimea with non-military goods.  Crimea would have the same status as Kaliningrad.No kind of military alliance comprised of Eastern European countries would be sufficient to deter Russia. None has nuclear weapons, and none has the military strength to protect Ukraine (or even itself).  At a minimum, the United States would need to be a member of such a military alliance. This is the only other solution which might work in the absence of full NATO membership.Neutrality for Ukraine became impossible once Russia invaded.

I see no alternative to full NATO membership for Ukraine, and a partial territorial concession to Russia (most likely, Crimea). Russia will remain a hostile, predator state even after the fighting stops. It is an absolute certainty that it will rearm and re-invade in several years, as long as Putin and his ilk remain in power. Putin's annexation of the 4 Ukrainian oblasts has made this war impossible to settle without either complete military defeat for Russia (inconceivable) or a territorial compromise. There could be a U.N. organized plebiscite in the Donbass to determine whether to stay in Ukraine or in Russia. But for this to happen, all the residents who were forcibly relocated to Russia must be allowed to return and vote (if that is their wish). Otherwise the plebiscite would be meaningless. Russia must agree to keep the Sea of Azov open to international shipping, and Ukraine must agree to allow Russia to transit through Ukrainian territory to resupply Crimea with non-military goods.  Crimea would have the same status as Kaliningrad.No kind of military alliance comprised of Eastern European countries would be sufficient to deter Russia. None has nuclear weapons, and none has the military strength to protect Ukraine (or even itself).  At a minimum, the United States would need to be a member of such a military alliance. This is the only other solution which might work in the absence of full NATO membership.Neutrality for Ukraine became impossible once Russia invaded.

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