Ukraine holds the key to peace with Russia
Peace talks between the two warring neighbours; Russia and Ukraine, resumed on Monday, April 4. Apparently, the few peace talks held so far have yielded something that leaders of both sides can work with. Amid the gloom, there is hope arising from an announcement by the Ukrainian delegation that a draft agreement is now ready for discussion by the presidents of both countries.
Indeed, Ukraine holds the biggest responsibility of settling the conflict peacefully and amiably. While it is not the aggressor, it is the country’s lack of foresight that has provoked Russia’s current intervention by entertaining the latter’s avowed enemies on its land. To Russia, attempts by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and by extension the United States (US) to get a foothold on its eastern neighbour is totally untenable.
By now, it should have occurred to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he was simply a pawn in a vicious geopolitical scheming.
Naturally, his immediate neighbors would have the best interests for his country rather than overseas selfish and manipulative players. Were it not meddling by the West, Russia has no other grievance against Ukraine, at least to an extent that can lead to such a confrontation.
By constantly engaging and indulging Russia’s opponents amid escalation of the war shows that Ukraine is double dealing, buying time to see whether its powerful allies can actually become active players in the conflict. But the allies understand that crossing that line could have grave ramifications. Furthermore, they still want to create the impression that they adhere to international law.
If he really means peace, Zelenskyy should stop blowing hot and cold on the war. He should not preach peace on one side to please or deceive his adversary, and on the other beg his allies for more weaponry and logistics to sustain his defence. Secondly, the Ukrainian President must stop echoing propaganda on what is happening on the warfront.
While there is no denying there have been several unfortunate civilian deaths so far, the utter sensationalist reports of massacre by Russian soldiers is irresponsible and dangerous.
For instance, the appeal to the Group of 7 by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Sunday to impose “devastating” new sanctions on Moscow for carrying out what he termed as a deliberate “massacre” in Bucha town outside Kyiv was outrageous and reactionary. It has already poisoned the air with mistrust and sends the wrong signals about the sincerity of Ukraine in the peace effort. Like on cue, some Western countries have levelled accusations of ‘war crimes’ against Russia arising from the foregoing allegations.
But even as they work arduously towards mutual understanding, the two countries should not fear or shy away from picking choice proposals that have been offered by external parties.
For instance, in its recent meeting with the European Union, China reiterated the “four musts” universal framework to any peace negotiations and settlement as espoused by President Xi Jinping.
These include respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, the full observation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respecting the legitimate security concerns of all countries, and unconditional support to all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis.
This is a good starting point and crucial step to discussing the nitty gritty of how a sustainable peaceful future would look like. It would weed out all partisan parties and interests in the ensuing negotiations.
It is hypocritical of the West to warn China against helping Russia endure their punitive sanctions but contrariwise mobilize money and resources to help Ukraine stoke the fire to its logical conclusion, akin to leading sheep to slaughter. It is a temptation and ruse that Zelenskyy should now resist to save lives and stop his country from being totally destroyed.
— The writer comments on international affairs
