Ukraine can secure safety guarantees without joining NATO, according to Foreign Affairs.

Ukraine does not need to join NATO to receive direct military support from the West. A coalition of European countries could provide security guarantees by promising assistance to Ukraine in the event of future conflicts with Russia.

In his column, Professor Menon outlined several positions that NATO countries hold regarding Ukraine's membership. Some would like to see Ukraine in NATO and benefit from the alliance's protection. They believe that Putin's ambitions may extend beyond Ukraine and threaten Poland and the three Baltic states. Critics argue that admitting Ukraine into NATO risks total war with Russia. This camp believes that Ukraine is not significant enough for national security, for instance, that of the United States, to justify the risk.

A third group suggests that the West should continue supplying Ukraine with weapons and training its soldiers but refrain from formal commitments to its defense. Menon also proposes the option of providing formal security guarantees from some European countries that would not originate from the Alliance and would not involve the U.S. According to Menon, it is the coalition of Ukraine's neighbors that should ensure its security and effectively "deter Russia." He believes that those seeking compromise are opting for armed neutrality.

"Ukraine would continue to receive Western armaments and military training, without time limits and regardless of whether the country was attacked. However, it would not be admitted to NATO and would not receive alternative security guarantees," writes the political scientist.

As he points out, many supporters of this system doubt that Ukraine will ever join the alliance, as its borders with Russia remain a hotly debated issue. For Ukrainians, the third option is insufficient; it appears as a "consolation prize" for not being invited to NATO, according to Menon. Ukraine believes that its membership in the alliance would not endanger the security of Europe and the U.S.

"However, no matter how strongly they want to join, Ukrainians must at least consider alternatives," the researcher assesses.

Kyiv could sign a security pact with some NATO members, Menon asserts. He adds that the West is already fatigued from meeting Ukraine's military needs, while societies in Europe and the U.S. increasingly desire an end to the war.

"Ukraine can certainly decide to fight regardless of what its partners want. But with uncertain victory and shaky Western support, even Kyiv may decide that it is better to achieve an imperfect peace through negotiations than to continue the war. Coalition guarantees would provide Ukrainians with the external protection necessary to feel secure," Menon concludes.

Prospects for Ukraine's NATO Membership

Despite all the unfavorable forecasts, Ukraine may be invited to NATO, as it represents the highest security guarantee. Article Five of the Alliance's Charter would ensure that Russia does not repeat its attack on Kyiv. However, hostilities must cease on Ukrainian territory first.

A document purporting to be Trump's peace plan has come to the Informant's attention. According to it, Russia must withdraw from the occupied territories in the Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions. A demarcation line will be established between Ukraine and Russia, controlled by a foreign peacekeeping contingent. The number of personnel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be reduced, which will become a matter of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Finally, Ukraine will refrain from joining NATO for 50 years.