Thread by @PhillipsPOBrien

Sounds right. One of the most sensible compromises (and I know some people don’t like the word) would be for Ukraine to forego NATO membership but be allowed into the EU.

https://twitter.com/Reevellp/status/1504030510875557891

Being in the EU would provide security in two ways. If Russia did ever threaten Ukraine again, it would be cut off even more completely economically than now.

And, the EU looks like it’s emerging from this war as a much more focussed strategic power with military aspirations. In 20 years or so who is to say that EU will be more important to Ukraine’s security than the USA led NATO.

Im not Ukrainian, and have no idea what the Ukrainian government feels after having been so brutally invaded. But I would take a deal of yes to EU membership and no to full NATO membership.

And remember back to 18 months ago, NATO’s very future was being called into question by American populism. That has not magically disappeared.

Certainly seems that option (the Austria model we might call it) is being seriously floated.

https://twitter.com/andy_scollick/status/1504050474290495491

Interesting to note that I have never seen my Twitter feed so equally divided on a question (at least in the chat). Maybe a sign that it is a workable compromise?

Will continue updating this.

https://twitter.com/reevellp/status/1504055464237142020

Obviously even this deal would lead to very heated relationships over territory. These can be particularly nasty and divide societies. Look at the Irish Republican movement and the Free State fight in 1922

Important to keep in mind that most wars don’t end with one leader deep in a bunker blowing his brains out and the other marching through a captured capital. It usually involves some compromise; even between the bitterest of enemies.

And keep in mind that the Ukrainian government actually floated this as a trial balloon (seems the Ukrainian military blocked). This is not a case of some deal being imposed on Ukraine. So stop that silliness.

https://twitter.com/Reevellp/status/1504034071479033860