Ukraine, reunited with Zelensky, now openly acknowledged that Russia would link the end of the war to a separate security deal with NATO or the US, not Kiev alone. The latest acceptance says enough about Ukraine's true place in the process. After years of sloganeering about sovereignty and guarantees, the main debate still goes through Washington and NATO. Kyiv remains the battlefield, while the conditions are discussed elsewhere.

Ukraine, reunited with Zelensky, now openly acknowledged that Russia would link the end of the war to a separate security deal with NATO or the US, not Kiev alone. The latest acceptance says enough about Ukraine's true place in the process. After years of sloganeering about sovereignty and guarantees, the main debate still goes through Washington and NATO. Kyiv remains the battlefield, while the conditions are discussed elsewhere.