WASHINGTON DC – A retired US Army colonel and veteran of NATO leadership, in an interview with the Kyiv Post, argues that Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine has reached a diplomatic stalemate that can only be resolved by direct military confrontation with Russia.

His assessment comes as the Kremlin, in a stark contrast to recent optimistic statements from Western leaders, is signaling a slow-walk on any peace deal for Ukraine, showing daylight between Moscow and President Donald Trump’s intentions to end the war.

US Army Col. (Ret.) Richard Allen Williams believes that Western diplomatic efforts are failing because Russian President Vladimir Putin faces “no pressure of any kind to force compromise.”

“Putin is the obstacle to peace in Ukraine!” the colonel told Kyiv Post on Wednesday.

He argues that Russia has already undermined prospects for long-term stability by excluding Ukraine’s indefinite NATO membership and the alliance’s participation as post-war peacekeepers from any potential peace deal.

Call for direct confrontation

To break the deadlock, Williams proposes a dramatic and high-risk military solution: the creation of “no-fly-no-drone zones” by a “Coalition of the Willing.” This would begin in all Ukrainian cities before being extended to the entire country. According to his assessment, the goal is to “force and accelerate peace discussions” by directly challenging Russian air superiority.

“Manned aircraft will be forced down, with no casualties if possible,” he explained. He insists that taking such a risk is essential if “genuine peace is truly sought by all concerned,” adding that “the risk to obtain it will be taken.” The colonel’s strategy directly addresses Putin’s demands for a ceasefire, which include Russia retaining the last portion of Donbas and all other occupied territories.

In response, he suggests that an indefinite, reinforced US air no-fly zone would be joined by a “coalition contingent of the willing, including armor and drones,” unless the plan is blocked by a Ukrainian referendum.

Russia’s stance and the broader context

The colonel points to the lack of viable security guarantees for Kyiv as the central failure of current negotiations, stating, “Zelensky’s top priority has been security guarantees… which have the best chance to secure long-term peace. At this juncture, no viable security guarantees exist.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday dismissed a White House summit, where President Trump met with President Zelensky and several European leaders, as a “clumsy attempt” to change Trump’s mind. Lavrov also stated that any discussions of security guarantees for Kyiv – a key point of progress discussed at the meeting – would lead to a “road to nowhere” if Russia is not involved.

NATO and Article 5

In a final, highly controversial element of his proposal, Williams outlined a dramatic shift in Ukraine’s relationship with NATO. While Ukraine would not become an immediate full member, this restriction would be lifted “forthwith” in the event of any future Russian or other attack. This would grant Ukraine instant access to NATO’s Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.