A buffer zone would be established along the front lines and heavy weapons would be pulled back from civilian areas . A solution to the Ukraine crisis may involve ruling the country out of any future NATO membership , writes Matthew Chance . The United States and its allies have been trying for months to persuade Russia not to join a new military alliance with Poland, Hungary and other Eastern European nations that is aimed at countering Russian aggression in Ukraine. Putin 's ultimate goal may be to tear up the post-Soviet assumptions about what Russia will tolerate , he says .
A solution to the Ukraine crisis may involve ruling the country out of any future NATO membership , writes Matthew Chance . The United States and its allies have been trying for months to persuade Russia not to join a new military alliance with Poland, Hungary and other Eastern European nations that is aimed at countering Russian aggression in Ukraine. Putin 's ultimate goal may be to tear up the post-Soviet assumptions about what Russia will tolerate , he says .