AWITI: Compromising with Russia is West’s best option

Since Russian troops rolled in Ukraine, millions have fled their homes, thousands of civilians have been killed and several cities have been reduced to rubbles.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine must remain condemned in the strongest terms. Moreover, as the beastly, criminal acts of Russian soldiers come to light, there must be consequences. President Vladimir Putin, as the author of the war and aggressor-in-chief, must be held accountable. But we must also remember that provocation of Russia serves no good.

Europe and America consistently and doggedly frames the world as comprising the West and the rest is an absurd perpetration of cultural imperialism. I find it ridiculous that in the minds of the Western world, Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, is now perceived and definitively characterized as European, in contrast to Russia. The active construction of otherness to demonize and invigorate anti-Russian passions is an unhelpful regression to the Cold War era.

US President Joe Biden’s remarks in Warsaw, “For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power”, was reckless, irresponsible to say the least. Russia is not Iraq or Libya.The US must not be seen to be actively advocating regime change in Russia. Similarly, that Biden called Putin a “war criminal” merely throughs boulders on what is already an uncertain path to peace. I strongly believe that the world must keep all channels open, spare no effort to bring Putin to the negotiating table.

While the US is absolutely justified to protect its geo-political interests in western and central Europe, it must do so without elevating the risk of future regional conflict or triggering global instability. Moreover, I agree that every effort must be made to deny Putin outright and swift victory and minimise the scale of humanitarian and global economic costs. But the singular and sensible goal must be to end the war.

The passionate speeches delivered by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky will certainly solidify the sanctions coalition. But Zelensky’s video calls will not galvanize a war coalition against Russia. Without a deal with Putin, we are looking at a long, painful war that Russia will certainly win.

Such a long war will exacerbate animosity and distrust between Russia and the West, dangerously undermining regional and global stability. The UN Security Council, NATO and the European Union must work to secure a negotiated settlement.

For the West, defeat and ouster of Putin is the goal. However, such a goal is patently wrongheaded. It is time to mobilize a diplomatic blitzkrieg to get Putin and Zelensky to the negotiating table. Hard as it sounds, sanctions relief and Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine must be on the table.

If the Russia-Ukraine war drags on, there will be an elevated risk of direct confrontation between the NATO alliance led by the US and Russia. Such a risk must be avoided at all costs. Inflicting incalculable pain and suffering on Ukrainians will certainly ensure a peace deal but on Putin’s terms. And this too must be avoided at all costs.

The views expressed are the writer’s