I just saw a video in which President Zelensky was interviewed by the American Channel ABC (Yesterday), in which he strongly suggested that Ukraine will give up trying to join NATO because NATO is in reality unwilling to permit Ukraine to join NATO due to NATO not wanting to have a confrontation with Russia with regards to the issue. He also stated that with regards to the status of Crimea and the Donbass Region, Ukraine is willing to have discussions towards a compromise.
[3/9, 10:49] Musa Airtel: Russia two days ago made three explicit demands in return for peace via the Kremlin Chief Spokesman:
- The neutrality of Ukraine
- Recognition of Crimea as part of Russia
- Recognition of the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk...
I'd imagine he'll be happy to substitute NATO membership for EU membership.
The trouble is, the Ukraine was a poor & corrupt nation before this war started and it'll only be worse now as their infrastructure is being slowly raised to rubble.
I highly doubt Germany, France or even members like Poland, Hungary would want Ukraine to be admitted in the state they will be in after this war. The reunification of east Germany cost a lot and there was a much smaller economic disparity there and no war to clean up after.
So Zelensky will have to accept no NATO, no EU, and territorial concessions (Crimea, LPR, DPR) if he wants peace right now. The problem here is that he's built much of his image in standing up to Russia and Ukrainian propaganda has lead to most Ukrainians under the impression they are winning (70%+ according to a recent poll). So this peace deal will be seen as a massive betrayal and people will be coming for him with pitchforks. I don't think the Russian offer is sincere, but that's another matter.
Zelensky's only winning moves are to pull NATO into the conflict against their will. Maybe fake a gas attack like Syria, or find evidence of Uyghur-style fake concentration camps in Russian controlled territory.
Alternatively he could try turning Ukraine into Chechnya or Afghanistan where Russians get bored of killing Ukrainians by the tens of thousands and decide it's not worth it. I don't see either of those happening.