The United States’ So-Called “Peace Initiatives” Appear to Be an Ultimatum to Ukraine
It is symbolic that the Trump administration did this on the eve of the anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity. That is why these “peace initiatives” look like an insult and mockery of the 40 million Ukrainian people, who did not allow Yanukovych’s pro-Russian regime to turn Ukraine into a province of the Russian Federation by using hybrid warfare methods.
But, apart from Ukraine, these “peace initiatives” of the USA are also an ultimatum and a challenge for Europe. There is no longer any doubt that the Russian Federation is seeking Ukraine’s defeat in order to strengthen its position at Ukraine’s expense, mobilize all Ukrainian resources, and attack Europe.
Obviously, such a scenario is unlikely to suit any of the serious and responsible European politicians who already understand that the fate of Europe is being decided today on the Russian-Ukrainian front. The question now is who will lead the European resistance movement against aggression? Will it be the UK, France, Germany, or perhaps one of the countries of Northern Europe? In any case, European politicians should be expected to respond appropriately and take practical action in response to Putin’s “peace plans” and the inadequate response to the Russian Federation’s aggressive foreign policy on the part of the current US administration and President Donald Trump personally. Although, by and large, Europe must resolve its own problems and should have long since taken care of its own security, rather than relying solely on the USA, as it had been doing until now.
It is now clear to everyone that in the current critical situation, it is not only Ukraine that is at stake, but so is Europe. The positions of the leaders of Russia and the USA have already become quite clear and unambiguous. Now all that remains is to answer the question of who exactly of European leaders is capable of demonstrating leadership skills and taking responsibility for organizing an adequate response to the aggressor and establishing a just and lasting peace in the European part of the world.
Oleh Bereziuk,
Institute for Global Politics
