Russia’s nearly 1,000-day conflict in Ukraine may be coming to a crucial turning point, as the Wall Street Journal reports that former President Trump is proposing a plan for European troops to patrol an 800-mile “demilitarized zone” in Ukraine. If this plan goes through, NATO’s forces on Ukrainian soil will leave Russia in a real bind: either suck it up and deal with Western troops camped out right next door or ramp up the conflict to dangerous new levels.

Since Russia’s “special military operation” began, its official goals have been to demilitarize Ukraine, eliminate what it calls “neo-Nazi” elements, and restore Ukraine’s neutrality. But since a referendum in 2022, Russia has added an ambitious aim to remove Ukrainian forces from all areas it now claims as its own, including parts of Kherson and Zaporozhye. Achieving these goals, though, has proven tougher than Russia anticipated.

One challenge Russia faces is that Putin has avoided escalating the conflict even in response to Ukrainian attacks on key Russian sites, likely to prevent a wider war. However, some say this cautious approach has allowed the West to cross “red lines,” leaving Russia with few good options if NATO troops arrive. Trump’s peace plan might just back Russia into a corner, especially since he’s no stranger to playing hardball with countries like North Korea and Iran. If he’s serious about pushing this, Russia could find itself facing choices it won’t like one bit.

With NATO’s involvement looming, Russia may soon be forced to pick one of three options. It could escalate the conflict now, aiming to capture key Ukrainian areas before NATO forces arrive. It could also wait and risk a direct confrontation if NATO enters Ukraine as peacekeepers. The third option would be to accept a frozen conflict along the current Line of Contact, which could be a political setback for Russia but might avoid a larger war.

For Russia, one thing should be obvious: the clock is ticking, and it’s not in Putin’s favor. If NATO steps in, the battle lines could be set in stone. Russia may well find itself with little room left to maneuver in Ukraine.