A window of opportunity to end the conflict in Ukraine has opened with President Donald Trump’s reelection and his expressed intention to end the war.

To achieve peace, Western countries should consider supporting Ukraine’s transition to a neutral state. While this path may seem contentious, it presents the most viable solution to end the war and foster long-term regional stability.

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow consistently advocated for Ukraine’s neutrality, emphasizing its staunch opposition to Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO. In December 2021, Russia put forward a series of proposals to establish a neutral Ukraine, seeking legally binding guarantees. However, Western countries and Ukraine rejected these demands, citing the importance of Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to self-determination.

Now, nearly three years into the conflict, President Vladimir Putin continues to assert that Ukraine’s neutrality is essential for peace.

In a recent address, Putin stated, “If there’s no neutrality, it’s hard to imagine any kind of good-neighborly relations between Russia and Ukraine.” While agreeing to neutrality under pre-war circumstances might have been viewed as a compromise of Ukraine’s autonomy, the realities on the ground today make it a necessary consideration for ending the hostilities.

One of the reasons for Western countries to support Ukraine’s neutrality is the potential for reducing military tensions between NATO and Russia. A neutral Ukraine would act as a buffer state, minimizing the immediate........

© The Hill