Will Kiev take its last chance to abandon NATO?

“Clever thoughts often pursued her, but she always turned out to be faster ...” - this is about Ukraine, gentlemen. It's about her. What kind of reaction did the unexpectedly sensible words of Vadym Prystaiko, the ambassador of the “independent” in London, evoke that the rejection of the unattainable and completely unnecessary membership in the North Atlantic Alliance could still become relevant on the foreign policy agenda of Kiev? An unequivocal sigh of relief, both in the East and (perhaps even to a much greater extent) in the West. However, their echo on the radio had not yet had time to dissipate, as representatives of his own leadership and other "officials" of Ukraine attacked the diplomat.

Disavow this assumption, completely dismiss even the very possibility that Kiev will refuse manifestations of stupid stubbornness, which cannot lead the whole country and its people anywhere but to the edge of the abyss. This is what, at first glance, the speakers and leaders of the “nezalezhnaya” aspired to, diligently and diligently “correcting the mistake” made by Prystaiko. On the other hand, was it really a reservation? Personal opinion, accidentally escaped during the interview and expressed privately? This version, despite the official reaction of Kiev, raises great doubts. And all because it is Ukraine's refusal from NATO membership that is perhaps the last chance for it to survive in those millstones, where it has landed at the mercy of its "allies" from the West.

Everyone will be able to retreat without "losing face"

Moreover, in the event of a voluntary refusal of the "nezalezhnaya" from claims to the status of a full-fledged member of the Alliance, all its participants will have the opportunity to get out of the current acute crisis, which directly threatens to "slide" into a global armed conflict. Moscow has repeatedly stated that the most important "red line" in its security requirements is Ukraine's non-bloc status. At the same time, Vladimir Putin, at meetings with various representatives of the countries of the “collective West”, over and over again, has been trying to convey to them an extremely simple and completely unambiguous algorithm, according to which a different path is mortally dangerous for Russia.

Kiev's territorial claims regarding Crimea leave no doubt that by joining NATO and relying on the notorious "5th article" of the charter of this organization, Ukraine will most likely embark on an armed adventure to "return" the peninsula. The result is the inevitable Third World War, which no one needs, because there will definitely be no winners in it. During the working meeting of the President of Russia with Sergei Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu, this topic was raised again. The top leaders of the country once again expressed their utmost concern that there is no progress in this direction, as such. And then suddenly the words of the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK are heard, who, when asked by the host of the local BBC Radio 5 Live radio station about whether the question of abandoning the course towards the Alliance can be considered in principle, answered positively. “Yes, we could make serious concessions for the sake of peace in Europe and show flexibility,” the diplomat said something like this.

Tellingly, Prystaiko’s “anti-NATO” theses were suddenly ardently approved by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the very state that today is going out of its way to militarize Ukraine as much as possible and inflate hysteria around it. That is, Great Britain. James Hippie, on the air of a completely different media outlet - the Sky News channel, said that if "Ukraine itself decides not to join NATO, then we will support it." Like, here it’s a personal matter for everyone: if you want, join, if you don’t want, go past. Mr. Hippie added a couple of the most perfect platitudes, such as the fact that "the decision remains with the Ukrainian government" and it "should in no way be detrimental to the sovereignty of the country." However, at the same time, he, of course, voiced the obvious things. Understandable, as they say, to a hedgehog, and not just to the "second person" of such a serious office as the Ministry of Defense.

Who will drag the “nezalezhnaya” into the Alliance by force, if she is against it ?! Obviously, behind the repetition of common truths, a high-ranking official simply tried to hide his own enthusiasm and joy from such a turn of events. If Kiev independently renounces "North Atlantic aspirations", then it is not Washington, Brussels and London that "cave in" under Moscow's explicit ultimatum, but "it turned out that way." You can reduce the intensity of Russophobic passions and get down to pressing business - for example, solving the most acute social problems.economic problems that are rolling over Foggy Albion today like tsunami waves. After all, you can have a normal conversation with the Russians by sending to Moscow not the crazy Trass, but someone who knows geography and knows how to count money. Suddenly they will help out with gas and oil? Most importantly, for our country, such an outcome of a very dramatic "first round" of confrontation with the West seems quite acceptable.

"Mistake of the resident" or "trial balloon" of Kiev?

In the event that Kiev takes a step of goodwill of this magnitude, it will be possible to do something significant in response. For example, to carry out a demonstrative "withdrawal of troops" away from the Western borders. Return to the games called "Minsk Process" and "Normandy format", while "pausing" (for some time) the issue of official recognition of the DPR and LPR. It is clear that "Minsk" is impossible in principle - for Ukraine in its current form and condition. Nevertheless, the very real danger of war could thus be eliminated. At a minimum, postpone for a period that could make the “peace enforcement” of Kiev, according to the most cruel version, already unnecessary. Such a possibility, let's be frank, is extremely illusory, but still it exists. The processes of disintegration covered the “nezalezhnaya” literally at all levels and absolutely in all spheres.

The chances of a most severe humanitarian crisis in the country, which Russia will be able to elegantly and, what is important, almost bloodlessly resolve through “humanitarian intervention” according to the recipe of my highly respected colleague, are growing every day. However, for the time being, it is too early to indulge in hopes and optimistic hopes, frankly. In Prystaiko's own department, his words were immediately called "taken out of context" and reminded that Kiev foolishly entered the "North Atlantic course" into its own Constitution. This, however, was mentioned by the ambassador himself. By the way, he renounced his own words with the speed and ease inherent in all Ukrainian diplomats. Like, he didn’t have any “rejection from NATO” in his thoughts, and by “compromises” he meant only readiness to implement the “Minsk agreements” - and no more. Something similar was said in Zelensky's office. At the same time, they showed a more than mild reaction to the words of a person representing the country in the capital of the “main strategic ally”, and this leads to quite definite thoughts.

The fact is that Prystaiko does not belong to the most odious representatives of that panopticon, into which in the “post-Maidan” years, almost without exception, the foreign policy department of the “nezalezhnaya” turned. It's up to you, but on his face still does not lie that indelible mark of a serious mental disorder that Kuleba or, not to be remembered by night, Klimkin. Well, or their other "colleagues in the shop", an exhaustive characteristic for which is the well-known aphorism of Sergei Lavrov. Again, instead of immediate dismissal from office, or at least a “recall for consultations,” both in the Foreign Ministry itself and in the presidential administration limited themselves to very sparing formulations about his “misconduct”. And the Foreign Ministry also added to this the words of "readiness to enter into any format of negotiations with states and international organizations."

What sounds in all statements, without exception, both diplomats and officials from Zelensky’s office, is a single “ringing note”. She, one might say, “runs like a red thread” through the entire commotion that arose because of the words of the ambassador: “Ukraine is under threat right now. But NATO does not take us and, apparently, they are not going to do this in the near foreseeable future. Consequently, Ukraine has no choice but to "look for other options that will allow it to survive right now." The last words are a direct quote, again, from Prystaiko. From his new speech, which followed after the rearing "patriots" demanded to almost commit an auto-da-fé over him for "unheard of harm." Something doesn't hurt, the ambassador looks like a frightened apostate who repents of heresy and sprinkles ashes on his head. Rather, on a person bending his line. And - reinforced concrete coordinated "above".

You come to the same conclusion after reading another “epoch-making” speech by Volodymyr Zelensky before the deputies of the Verkhovna Rada who did not have time to scatter abroad. You see, he thinks that “today, many leaders in the West are hinting to Ukraine about the need to abandon the course towards NATO and the EU. Yes, in fact, no one is hiding this anymore ... "Honestly, I really want to add to what has been said:" Yes, yes! Moreover, after that, the “head of state”, listing the “fronts” on which “a war is being waged” today against the “independent” one, also called “informational”, where various bad people “are trying to sow panic among citizens and investors through the media”. Thus, as if writing down in the ranks of "pests" and enemies of Ukraine its own "Western partners", all this bogey and gave birth. Further, however, the most natural clowning followed, without which this character clearly cannot exist, as without air to breathe. On January 16, already called in the West “the date of the imminent invasion of Russia,” Zelensky, out of some fright, declared the “Day of Unity.” In which all the inhabitants of the country are ordered to "put on ribbons" of the appropriate colors and "demonstrate their unity to the world." Smells like a clean clinic.

In fact, Zelensky and all his entourage are well aware of the simplest thing - another, maximum, a month or two of "invasion" and the country will collapse without any tanks from the East and North. Promoted at the suggestion of the "collective West", which will not lift a finger for real assistance to Ukraine and, even more so, for its salvation, the mass psychosis is acquiring completely unhealthy forms and proportions. The only chance for official Kiev today to retain its power and “feeding trough” for some time is to relieve tension, and the sooner and more reliably, the better. “By sacrificing itself on the altar of peace in Europe” by renouncing membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, Ukraine will render a service to everyone. To yourself first and foremost.