I would give Russia that.
But you have to ask yourself why they want to keep Ukraine out of NATO. Is it because they just don’t want NATO encroachment, as they say, or is it because they want to invade Ukraine again in the future.
I would give Russia the “ironclad” agreement not to ask Ukraine into NATO, but they would have to understand and agree that it’s also ironclad that Ukraine will be protected with extreme prejudice if Russia ever invades it. That includes even if Russia claims that Ukraine attacked them.
If Russia can’t agree to those conditions, then they are tipping their hand about buying time for future invasions.
The minerals deal would put many Americans and American interests in Ukraine and the Russian areas near Ukraine. That would serve as a good reason for Russia not to attack.
Just like Russia has a good reason to not like NATO being next door in Ukraine, Ukraine and Europe have good reason to not want Russia controlling Ukraine.
As a member of NATO, I can see Ukraine provoking Russia...(with Ukrainians living in Russia) and forcing NATO to defend Ukraine.
Do not in NATO, but if Ukraine and Russia ever start fighting again, we attack Russia with extreme prejudice? That’s the same thing except for not standardizing Rifle cartridges.
And two problems. Ukraine started this war with the attacks on the Donbass. A defense pact would be a direct invitation for Ukraine to start new hostilities or launch a terror bombing and assassination campaign.
Two… attacking Russia with extreme prejudice is a good way to get nuked. America doesn’t need to have our rich history wiped out on behalf of Stepan Bandera and Svoboda. They just don’t matter that much to anyone except the Uke descendants and DC
An agreement that if Ukraine ever attacks Russia, we come to Ukraine’s defense with extreme prejudice?
Great idea, wonder why nobody else thought of it?