Negotiation and NATO Membership in Ukraine

A potential resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine involves a proposal that allows Russia to maintain control over currently occupied areas while granting Ukraine NATO membership in return. This proposal is regarded as a realistic outcome based on the battlefield conditions and hints from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky towards a willingness for negotiations. The former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, emphasizes that NATO membership would provide Ukraine with essential security guarantees, as historical evidence shows that NATO countries have not been attacked by either the Soviet Union or Russia. Such a deal aims to ensure lasting peace and prevent future invasions, although it raises concerns about setting a dangerous precedent by conceding occupied territories to Russia.