1. Ukraine acknowledge that Crimea belongs to Russia 2. Ukraine recognize Donetsk and Lugansk as independent states 3. Ukraine rewrite its constitution and require that Ukraine is never allowed to join any "bloc"... Hard to imagine that means other than NATO at this time. So... does (1) Ukraine knuckle under to these demands to stop the war, (2) Russia pound Ukraine into submission to force compliance, or (3) the rest of the world gang up on Russia to make Putin relent? (Putin has already threatened nuclear weapon response to anyone who tries...) Putin can't "just quit" and still save face... so it's almost certainly going to be one of the 3 above. Bad all around.
And these are just a small portion of Putin's dozen or so demands --- which basically make Ukraine a subject state of Russia. The four key ones are: Russia says military action will stop immediately if Ukraine agrees to four conditions https://ca.news.yahoo.com/russia-sa...aine-agrees-to-four-conditions-121826715.html Russia has issued a list of demands for Ukraine to follow if its invasion is to come to an end. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov gave Moscow's most explicit statement so far of the terms it wants to impose on Ukraine to halt its "special military operation", which is now in its 12th day. Pesko said Ukraine must: Cease military action Change its constitution to enshrine neutrality Acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory Recognise the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent territories. (More at above url)
I am not totally convinced that it will be easier on Russia to have Ukraine as a non-member in the long run. As we can see, the Nato countries are extremely skitterish about confronting Russia or pissing Putin off. If Ukraine became a member (not gonna happen this decade and not due to Putin's demands) then Nato would be on Ukraine's case every day to make sure they did not cross certain lines while they were taking it up the arse from the Russians. If they are non-members, Nato and the Americans will be cheering them on and supplying them backchannel. Just as we are seeing right now. As usual, the United Nations is as worthless as tits on a nun in these situations.