What is at stake in the Ukraine is Nato membership. Because with membership comes ‘standardization’ and lucrative weapons deals. If the Ukraine joins NATO, their tanks become German and their aircraft become American. This is the game that has played out all over central & eastern Europe since 1990. The Russians are belatedly drawing a line with the Ukraine & Finland.
My proposal, is to divide Ukraine up into three parts.
Western Ukraine - Based in L’viv, the part of the Ukraine, that traditionally belonged to Austria-Hungary and Poland. Could be eligible for NATO and EU membership. Potentially also become a member of the Visegrad Group, along with Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, etc.
Ukraine - Based in Kiev, would be neutral, NATO and Russia will not be allowed to base troops there, or join any such alliance. Basically serves as a buffer state.
Eastern Ukraine (Donbass) - Free to join Russia or become aligned with Russia.