Zelensky asks for the impossible

Everyone on the planet with the exception of Vladimir Putin and Aleksandr Lukashenko, his Belarusian mate, respects and admires Volodymyr Zelensky. Since becoming president of Ukraine he has grown in stature, taking on the invading Russians like a David against Goliath. Backed by the West and western weapons his armed forces have fought a great fight and have stopped Putin from realising his dream of destroying his neighbour. Without Zelensky's commitment, drive, leadership and guts, Russia might well have triumphed. Now we know that Moscow will never win in Ukraine. Throughout these last seventeen months since the Russian invasion, Zelensky has been cryng out for more and more weapons, but also demanding recognition as a future valued member of the western family. Ukraine, he has insisted, deserves to be a member of Nato and the European Union. Fair enough, he and his country deserve this prize. But even he must realise that while the war continues Ukraine cannot join the Nato alliance. No country can become a member while there is a war going on on its territory. If Ukraine was allowed to join straightaway, then the alliance would have to join in the war to defeat Russia. He knows this can't happen. Membership can only be seriously contemplated once the war is totally over. But he wants more than that. He wants Nato at its summit in Vilnius to promise that Ukraine WILL become a member of the alliance within, say, two years of the war ending. But, again, that's not practical. All Nato can really promise is membership as soon as is practicable. He has attacked Nato for what he views as vague and uninviting language. But what did he expect? He has to be patient. The war could go on for years, and even if it comes to an end the likelihood is that Russia will retain some of Ukraine's territory. Then how will this sit with the rest of the country inside the Nato embrace? This is not a simple issue. It's a massive challenge which is why the 31 current members of the alliance - and soon to be 32 with Sweden joining - haven't a clue how to address it without pissing off Zelensky.