Gerhard Schroeder, the former chancellor of Germany, recently revealed that a compromise peace to end the war in Ukraine was within reach during negotiations in Istanbul last spring. This revelation is particularly disheartening considering the devastating impact that the conflict has had on Ukraine and its people.
The war in Ukraine, which is the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, has resulted in numerous casualties and displaced millions of people. While the exact numbers remain disputed, it is clear that the human toll has been significant. Additionally, the economic consequences of the war have been dire, with Ukraine’s GDP dropping by almost a third in 2022 and a large portion of the population falling below the poverty line.
According to Schroeder, a compromise peace deal would have involved an end to NATO’s expansion eastward, Ukrainian neutrality, international security guarantees, and plans for the reintegration of separatist territories in the Donbass region. However, this deal was not able to come to fruition due to the intervention of Western powers, particularly the United States.
Schroeder’s revelations are supported by other evidence and testimonies. Reports from Ukrainskaya Pravda, a Ukrainian publication, have suggested that a peace deal was reached but abandoned at the last minute due to external interference. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also endorsed these claims. Furthermore, Fiona Hill, a former adviser to President Trump, has provided additional evidence in an article for Foreign Affairs.
The question remains, why did the United States prevent the war in Ukraine from coming to an end? According to Naftali Bennett, a former Israeli prime minister and a key international mediator, the West, led by Washington, blocked efforts to reach a compromise peace. The Biden administration was optimistic that it could defeat Russia in Ukraine and wanted to deliver a blow to Moscow’s power and influence.
This stance by the United States is disheartening and raises concerns about the future. It is unlikely that Washington will learn from its mistakes and change its approach under the current administration. Recent actions by the United States, both in Ukraine and the Middle East, suggest a willingness to escalate tensions and potentially engage in larger conflicts.
Furthermore, the war in Ukraine has highlighted the lack of independence and assertiveness from European powers, particularly Germany and France. While Schroeder believes that a compromise peace deal could still be feasible with their initiative, it is questionable whether they have the capacity to break free from their subservience to the United States.
Overall, the revelations about the potential for a compromise peace in Ukraine are disheartening. The damage inflicted by the war has been significant, and the United States’ refusal to allow it to end is deeply troubling. The future looks bleak, with the US persisting in a policy of war and the European Union exhibiting blind obedience.
Source link
