No, China´s vaunted peace plan didn´t bring the end to the war. That plan was born in a coffin. It did not seriously consider Ukraine´s insistence that Russia pull out of all occupied territory in Ukraine including Crimea.
“I didn´t believe what I was seeing…my mind wobbled…impossible…,” my friend told me.
“Presidents Putin and Zelensky shook hands, smiled broadly for the cameras.”
My friend explained that this was the deal they cut to end the war:
1. All Russian troops left Ukrainian territory including Crimea. War reparations paid by Moscow started immediately.
All Western sanctions against Russia were lifted.
2. Turkey was booted out of NATO. Population: 85 million. My friend said, “The latest election showed a bit more than half of Turkey´s heart wasn´t with NATO and the West. Why force them to stay? We aren´t the Soviet Union!"
3. Ukraine was admitted to NATO. Population: 44 million.
4. Hungary was kicked out of NATO. Population: 10 million. “Like Turkey, Hungary was neither fish or foul - pure fudge,” my friend told me. “Their exclusion meant they could no longer play both ends – the West and Russia - against the middle. Adios.”
5. With Hungary and Turkey gone, Sweden joined NATO. Population: 10 million.
Turkey and Hungary were not entirely lost causes. All parties agreed to hold popular referenda in both countries in five years on NATO membership. Voting would be obligatory. A consensus – defined as a minimum of 55% - would be required to rejoin NATO.
The elections would be supervised by the UN.
Zelensky and Putin clicked champaign glasses.
“I´d like to tell you what happened next,” my friend said, “but then I woke up.”