By Michael F. Duggan
As the world sleepwalks toward a third world war, there is a way to end the conflict in Ukraine in short order and with democratic legitimacy.
First, working through the United Nations, a ceasefire would be declared by both sides and the armies would stop on their current lines. A peacekeeping force from non-aligned nations would come in to observe and oversee the ceasefire.
The U.N. would then call for a referendum in the Donbas region and perhaps some adjacent areas. On the ballot would be the following choices: 1). This region will remain a part of Ukraine, only with greater autonomy (essentially in line with the home rule provisions of the 2015 Minsk II agreement). 2). This region will become an independent nation. 3). This region will become a part of Russia. The referendum would be overseen by observers from both sides as well as by U.N. personnel. All sides would then abide by the majority outcome of the referendum. Ukraine would also have to pledge military neutrality in regard to NATO and Russia.
Needless to say, this will not happen.