After the Alaskan Summit, the road to peace in Ukraine has been a rollercoaster ride. One day, Western leaders trace some red lines in the sand, and the next, the winds of chaos erase them. Some call for a ceasefire, while others claim it is not necessary. European leaders gather in Washington to discuss security guarantees, but there are still no Allied troops, especially American ones, on the ground in Donbas and Sumy. No other message is taken seriously by Russia.
There is so much confusion about these peace talks. No peace comes from them. Everything is changing all the time. Only two things remain the same: this war’s two most important parties. These involve the positions of Russia and Ukraine.
Putin’s Immovable Set of Demands
The first thing that remains the same and immovable is Putin’s set of demands upon Ukraine. He insists that Ukraine give up the entire Donetsk oblast, including 3,500 square miles that the invaded nation still holds. Russia also wants Ukraine to disarm and not join NATO. Putin further demands a change of government in Kyiv.
In sum, the Russian ruler is asking the world to agree to let Ukraine become his vassal state. He makes no concessions. Such a position is consistent with his belief that the “root cause” of the conflict is that Ukraine is not a real nation. It belongs under Russian rule. There is no room for compromise within this war of conquest perspective.
What Is Not Being Discussed
What makes these demands worse is that while talking peace, Putin continues bombing Ukrainian cities, civilian targets and infrastructure. Western nations keep on negotiating while Ukrainians keep on dying.
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Much could and should be discussed with Russia. Here is a starter list:
* Russia’s egregious violations of fundamental human rights and war crimes;
* its criminal kidnapping of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children;
* its suppression of the Catholic Church in the territories it occupied in Eastern Ukraine;
* its dishonorable violation of its pledged word in the Dec. 5, 1994 Budapest Memorandum where it promised Ukraine, the U.S., and the U.K., that it would refrain from the “use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of [Ukraine], and . . . that none of [Russia’s] weapons will ever be used against [Ukraine].”
These issues need to be fully addressed and resolved before there can be peace. However, they seem off the table, since they are obstacles to striking a deal with Putin.
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Perhaps the best way to summarize the mindset of unprincipled negotiators would be: “Betray Ukraine, give Russia everything it wants, and just call it peace.”
The Abandonment of Ukraine
The second thing that has not changed throughout the peace talks is the abandonment of the Ukrainians. Usually, when the fate of nations is discussed, those nations have some say on how they will be governed.
The Russian attitude toward the Ukrainian government and people is one of disdain. Russia wants an agreement without Ukrainian participation, consistent with its belief that Ukraine is not a nation. Fortunately, the post-Alaska Summit White House gathering of Presidents Trump and Zelensky and seven European and NATO leaders did not immediately impose that fate on Ukraine.
This notwithstanding, Russia continues to insist on excluding Ukraine from future arrangements.
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The True Nature of Peace and Order
Peace is not just a deal that ends hostilities. True peace should flow from an exercise of justice wherein each nation receives its due.
The proper definition of peace is the tranquility of order. Order is that state of things where everything functions according to its nature and end.
Thus, by the nature of a sovereign state, order means nations can enjoy the integrity of their borders. Order means nations should not invade other nations that have done them no harm. Order means a just war can only be initiated and waged according to specific criteria. Order means that those affected by war should have some say in its outcome.
Anything less than a true and just peace recalls the tragic specter of 1938 Munich, where a “great deal” did not secure “peace in our time.” It recalls the great 1945 betrayal of Yalta, where the captive nations of Eastern Europe were handed over to Soviet Russia against their will.
Let these Alaska negotiations not lead to the shameful betrayal of heroic Ukraine, giving it nothing, while rewarding Russia for its unjust aggression. May they not earn the scorn of history.
Photo Credit: © diy13 – stock.adobe.com
First published on TFP.org.