The Economist: Ukraine must change course in the war, allies should ensure NATO membership

Ukraine and its allies need “an urgent change of course” as Kyiv withstands an all-out war by Russia in order to preserve statehood, writes The Economist. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should focus on holding onto territories not yet seized by the Russians, according to the London-based magazine.

“If Mr. Zelenskyy continues to defy reality by insisting that Ukraine’s army can take back all the land Russia has stolen since 2014, he will drive away Ukraine’s backers and further divide Ukrainian society,” The Economist wrote.

Regardless of whether Donald Trump wins the November 5 U.S.presidential election, the only hope to maintain support from America and Europe and unite Ukrainians lies in a new approach that begins with leaders honestly defining what victory actually means.

Realistic goals for Ukraine will enable it to receive more assistance from Western partners, analysts said.

“Western leaders need to make his [Zelenskyy’s] overriding war aim credible by ensuring that Ukraine has the military capacity and security guarantees it needs,” the publication wrote.

If Ukraine can effectively thwart any further Russian advances on the battlefield, it will in practice demonstrate the futility of additional large-scale offensives.

“Whether or not a formal peace deal is signed, that is the only way to wind down the fighting and ensure the security on which Ukraine’s prosperity and democracy will ultimately rest,” The Economist wrote.

NATO membership for Ukraine should be one of the security guarantees along this vein. As an example,  the publication mentioned West Germany, which joined NATO in 1955. 

“Mr Biden is known to be cautious about this. Such a declaration from him, endorsed by leaders in Britain, France and Germany, would go far beyond today’s open-ended words about an ‘irrevocable path’ to membership,” the article states.

A clearer promise of NATO membership would allow Zelenskyy to redefine victory; a realistic military goal would deter Russia, while NATO would benefit from a revamped Ukrainian defense industry, The Economist wrote.

“Forging a new victory plan asks a lot of Mr Zelenskyy and Western leaders. But if they demur, they will usher in Ukraine’s defeat. And that would be much worse,” the article said.