[Drew68]

2) Agree to hold plebiscite in defined region of disputed territories, and to abide by results. Who is eligible to vote would have to be defined up front.

Crimea held a referendum for independence from Ukraine in 2014. It passed by 95%.

If anyone has any doubts about how the referendum would turn out in the Donbas, they only need to look at this to have their questions answered.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

The issue will be defining the boundaries of the specific areas in which the plebiscites would be held. And if pro-Russian sentiment is enough, then both sides abide by that as ending the dispute permanently.

And Ukraine gets the right to join NATO. That's a face-saving result for both sides that has real potential as a permanent solution.

I'd point out that Ukraine already, as a matter of policy, is on record as supporting elections in the Donbas under the Steinmeier Formula. So it is a matter of ironing out the details, and perhaps some compromise regarding the processes could be reached.