Geopolitics

Conflict Termination of Ukraine War: Compromise and Face Saving is the Way Forward
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Issue Net Edition | Date : 17 Oct , 2022

There is a fresh escalation of retaliatory fire assaults on Ukrainian cities by Russia consequent to strike on bridge across Kerch Strait linking Russia with Crimea. Incidentally the bridge was inaugurated by President Putin and it was attacked on his 70th birthday. It is the ninth month running and there seems to be no signs of ending Russia-Ukraine war on the horizon. Somewhere down the line the conflict appears to be getting personal amongst the top leadershipof Russia as well as Ukraine. Both sides have dug in the heels and not ready to back off which has prospects of spiralingout into a possible nuclear exchange.

If Russia goes nuclear as President Putin is quoted to be serious in his recent statements, then US cannot be seen to be a bystander. The probability of such a scenario is increasing by the day as Russia is getting desperate due to prospects of losing face as a consequence of recent military setbacks, however small they are. Hence, there is a need to set aside politicalrivalries bythe powersin the fray directly, or indirectly to avert such a catastrophe.

At geo political level the prospects of re emergence of Russia as a rival super power happens to be the underlying reason of this conflict.Russia, on other hand, hasshown her political will to use of military force to achieve its strategic objectives as seen in Crimea, Syria and now in Ukraine. China is already known for her hegemonic tendencies and defiance of established international norms. From western perspective, a resurgent Russia forging a collusive cartel alongside China is not a happy situation for their existing global dominance.

The Western powers, accordingly, have been pushinganti Russia narrative to subvert Ukrainian polity with incentives of according membership of NATO and European Union to them. It obviously is not in  Russian interests  as it has severe security connotations impacting on her political aspirations.Apropos, defiance of Russian dictates to Ukraine to not join NATO has led to military special operation by Russia in February 2022. In response, US and her allies chose to use economy as a weapon by imposing sanctions and build up military capabilities of Ukraine to force Russia to back off. The game plan appears to be to weaken Russia militarily through protracted  engagement with Ukraine,albeit without NATO boots on ground on technical and moral grounds.

Russia stands largely unaffected by the economic sanctions and continues her military campaign tosecure better tactical terrain to defend her borders and control sea space.It was mechanizations of western powers that had lead to collapse of Russian federation in 1991. Now, once again they have created a schism between two erstwhile partners with intents of threatening Russia right at their  borders.  Therefore, Putin is probably not taking any chances and bent upon securing Russian interests once for all.

Russian move to subsume four Eastern provinces of Ukraine is meant to extend her territory leaning closer to Dnieperriver for defence against NATO threat.It also facilitates control overUkrainian ports on the Black Sea front providing access to Mediterranean Sea, the junction of three continents. It is essential for strategic naval outreach of Russia to warm waters of Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The Russian military interventions in Crimea and Syria were  for this very purpose. Now Russia is seen to expand the scope of her strategic outreach to counter threats from European geographical space.

Russia with her abundant energy and food resources along side technology and nuclear capabilities is in a position to stand up to challenge of her opponents.Therefore, Russia is unlikely to back off till Ukraine agrees toher dictates that facilitate theirstrategic  objectives.Ukraine on other hand has been primed up by the US and her NATO allies not to scale down in hope that Russiamay relent due to war fatigue and economic deprivations.

The irony is that even after so much of mayhem in Ukraine instigated by western powers; she is yet to be included in NATO alliance. It is now for Ukraine to take a call on her national interests; either  to stay in peace with few compromises, or continue to be a proxy of western powers with their apparentpolitical ambiguities. Even western nations have to take a step back to avert the catastrophe and take care of their economic interests.

The military campaign is in adangerously  critical phase, hence need to reach out to both the warring nationsto end the war. It would be better if  UNinitiates  such a move for institutional acceptability and obligation  by all the stake holders. The reconciliation team, obviouslycannot be from Western world in view of their supportive role withUkraine. China, despite  having adequate influence over Russia as well as Ukraine does not enjoy credibility looking at her own hegemonic conduct. Moreover, their comment of ‘Friendship with no limits’ speaks of collusive linkages with Russian camp. It leaves countries like India, Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, Vietnam and UAE etc that may be suitable to be part of UN initiative.

The reconciliation talks need to address the Security concerns of Russia alongside free access to sea space, andrestoration of sovereign autonomy of   Ukraine as the essentials for any move forward. The first step should befor US to stop military aid, second step should be thedeclaration of cease fire under the aegis of the good offices of the UN Secretary General and third for agreement to resolve the issues through diplomatic parlays. It is possibleonlywhen Ukraine gives an assurance of not to join the  NATO ever, this being the main contention  of Russia. The process may involve graduated disengagement, de escalation and withdrawal of Russian troops back to 24 February positions.

The deal may also include according autonomous status to the captured regions under Ukrainian sovereign control. The population may be given freedom of economic activities and movement between Ukraine and Russia as was the case earlier. Russia needs to give assurance of non interference in sovereign rights of Ukraine andher economic activities. There is also a need of mutually acceptable security mechanism against external threats. In essence, it should preferably be a direct understanding between Russia and Ukraine to take care of political aspirationsof each other. A UN force would be warranted to monitor the’ Line of Control’ and facilitate envisaged transitions  once an amicable solution is agreed to.

The western world as well as Russia need to introspecton their ‘return on their political investment’ by initiating this war which could have been avoided.There is a sufficientspace  for everyone to flourish through cooperative approach instead of confrontation to seek predominance, an abstract and misplaced notion in present times.Apropos, compromise is the way forward to provide a face saving to both the nations bent upon destruction of the  world order. It would also help in averting global economic recession that is likely to set in, if the war continues.

It is an unwinnable war and likely to extend into winters as the intransigence and  political arrogance continues.Whereas, there is limit to war stamina which is difficult to sustain beyond a point even by the most resourceful and resolute nations.It is in such a state,  a compulsive destructive  desperation sets in leading to unsound and irrational decisions. Therefore, it is necessary to bring about reconciliation, lest the conflict termination of Ukraine war becomes a repeat of what happened in Japan in second world war. It certainly is ‘not the era of wars’ as the Indian Prime Minister has professed. Surely, time is at premium to act.

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The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of the Indian Defence Review.

About the Author

Lt Gen Rameshwar Yadav

Former Director General Infantry, Indian Army.

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3 thoughts on “Conflict Termination of Ukraine War: Compromise and Face Saving is the Way Forward

  1. This Indian Defence Review article was published and posted on October 17, 2022. I had thoroughly read General Yadav’s safely worded article. Posted a short commentary to remind the author, UNSC P5, its non-permanent members and all other member-states of the UN and UN itself that the UNSC P5 including China and Russia had accepted the duty of collective responsibility in the adoption of UNSCR 1674.

    UNSCR 1674 clearly states that all countries have to comply with the demands of the Security Council and UNSCR 1674 itself is a UNSC demand of continuous importance and application.

    Impunity can clearly be ended with the initiation of a peace process.

    That must be the ONLY Russia-Ukraine panacea.

    https://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/conflict-termination-of-ukraine-war-compromise-and-face-saving-is-the-way-forward/#.Y1BKNqzob78.twitter

  2. RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT (R2P) AND THE DUTY & OBLIGATION TO PREVENT ARMED CONFLICTS ETC. – THE RUSSIA & UKRAINE CONFLICT

    Responsibility To Protect (R2P) was endorsed by UNSC Resolution 1674 (28-April-2006) with the support of all five Permanent Member States including Russia that affirmed the doctrine of R2P.

    Russia itself as an UNSC P5 member had stressed the duty and importance of preventing armed conflict through a comprehensive approach involving economic growth, eradication of poverty, sustainable development, national reconciliation, good governance, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights including the deliberate targeting of civilians during armed conflict has been described as a “flagrant violation” of international humanitarian law.

    UNSCR 1674 continuously demands that all parties to armed conflict adhere to the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 and the Geneva Conventions, including Protocols I and II and reaffirmed that impunity should end and for all states to comply with their obligations in this respect.

    Both Russia and Ukraine are under a duty to end impunity and thus, fully attribute to the peace process.

    Copyright © 2022, The Software Suite and A.J. Hakimi LLB(Hons)(Wolverhampton), CLP(Hons), CMSA [CFI Vancouver]. All Rights Reserved.

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