What gives Putin the right to tell Ukraine ANYTHING?
It's their country. Why is that so hard to understand?
Every country on earth has the right to chose who they align themselves with, either as friends and/or allies, or by formal membership in an Alliance such as NATO. Who does Putin think he is trampling around on his neighbors property painting red lines as if he owns the place - and commanding them not to become allies with someone else???
All said, I'm a firm believer in diplomacy, especially when you're dealing with someone as trigger-happy as Putin.
I think a deal could be struck if Putin would agree to "NEVER EXPANDING RUSSIAN TERRITORY BEYOND ITS CURRENT LEGAL BORDERS FOR ANY REASON".
If I were Zelinski, this type of an agreement would suffice, and I would then gladly agree to remain "neutral status" and forego joining NATO.
As far as Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk go - they belong to Ukraine. Separatists (Putin's mercenaries) would have to leave Donetsk, and Luhansk. Any neo-Nazi's hanging around in those areas would be asked to please move to Brazil like all the other Nazi's did after WW II.. Better yet, send them to America. Donald Trump is thinking of running for a second term and will need all the support he can get.
There you have it:
Ukraine remains neutral posing no threat to Russia - Russia remains neutral within the confines of its own borders...and NATO can rest assured that Putin's empire building aspirations have come to a halt.
Everyone's happy...right?