The 5% Solution: A Realpolitik Path to Peace in Ukraine

Teaser: A modest territorial concession, backed by NATO guarantees and Russian investment, could end the stalemate, secure Ukrainian sovereignty, and lay the groundwork for lasting European stability.
Summary: This essay argues that the war in Ukraine will not end through total victory but through pragmatic compromise—a “5% solution.” Ukraine would cede a small portion of its territory in exchange for NATO guarantees, Russian investment in reconstruction, and a shared responsibility for debt. At the same time, the land would become an Economic Cooperation Zone, fostering cooperation instead of permanent division. Drawing on the Finnish precedent and current economic and military realities, the piece presents a realpolitik argument that this deal could preserve Ukrainian sovereignty, stabilize Europe, and transform Moscow from an adversary into a partner.





