On October 17th, former Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined his purported “victory plan” to the EU, in which he called for increased military aid and a path to NATO membership, and deep strikes into Russia, with hopes of ending the war by next year. However, Ukraine joining NATO remains highly improbable—actually impossible!

The origins of the current conflict can be traced back to 2008, when NATO expansion discussions first included Ukraine and Georgia, sparking a major rift with Russia. That moment in time set in motion the unraveling of Ukraine’s stability, which culminated in the events we’re seeing today.

The future of any peace will depend on which side holds the stronger position, and there’s no room for bluffing anymore. Russia has long made clear its opposition to NATO’s presence on its borders, while the West claims that it remains committed to supporting Ukraine. However, this creates a stalemate that is better described as a quagmire, where military strength and strategic alliances, or the lack thereof, will shape the ultimate outcome.

So far, it is not looking good in what has proved to be a Western sponsored proxy war. If NATO membership for Ukraine is off the table, as seems most likely, a lasting peace will require a different approach. Possible alternatives could include neutrality for Ukraine, a regional security pact, or even a frozen conflict. Ultimately, peace must come down to finding a solution that somehow respects Ukraine’s sovereignty but as a neutral state, and where the de-Nazification process has been effective, while at the same time addressing Russia’s security concerns about NATO’s eastward expansion and ensuring that the rearming of Ukraine and raising more armies for the next war does not happen.

It is becoming increasingly evident, day-by-day, that Zelensky’s regime is facing a multitude of internal and external challenges that could lead to its eventual collapse. The front lines are crumbling, and the strain on the government is showing in several ways. The Ukrainian parliament (Rada) is resisting efforts to lower the draft age for men, even considering drafting women, whereas desertions within the army are rising, with upwards of 75,000 this year alone.

For obvious reasons, there is a growing resistance to the draft itself, with widespread movements pushing back against forced conscription, including buying your way out. Additionally, corruption within the ranks of........

© New Eastern Outlook