Inspired by a recent trip to Kyiv, the columnist Tom Friedman argues that the West needs to engineer a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He says there’s a “dirty deal” that could end the war and still mean victory for Ukraine.

“If we bring Ukraine into the European Union, that would be one of the most consequential geopolitical tipping points since East Germany was united with West Germany,” Friedman says in this audio essay.

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This Opinion short was produced by Jillian Weinberger. It was edited by Kaari Pitkin and Annie-Rose Strasser. Mixing by Efim Shapiro and Carole Sabouraud. Original music by Pat McCusker, Carole Sabouraud and Efim Shapiro. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta and Kristina Samulewski.