See what can happen when America's military might is not in play?

 Peaceful solutions can be negotiated, if America doesn't keep promising war as a first resort... (I don't remember Russia stepping in to "check" the US military when we invaded Iraq.  Let's return the favor.)

A Ukrainian diplomat floats rejecting NATO membership, then seems to backtrack.

This was featured in live coverage.

That sounds like a workable solution that would allow a lot of lives to be saved.  Keep working on it.  Americas military backing is no promise of a victory, any time soon...