Searching for peace in the midst of constant conflict

After nearly two years of fighting, sitting down at the negotiating table remains extremely distant for both Ukraine and Russia, although the urgency of peace talks has been stressed since the start of the conflict.

This urgency has been reflected even more strongly since the statement of General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, about the possibility of a front-line stalemate that could drag out the war for years.

Despite this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that no negotiations will take place until Russia completely withdraws from Ukrainian territory, including Crimea. Meanwhile, Russia believes that Ukraine lacks the “will to peace”.

Vicious cycle of fighting

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking in an interview with Russian state news agency TASS on December 28, accused Kiev of only talking about war and using aggressive rhetoric, and that the Ukrainian president lacks “the will to peace.”

“Any ceasefire is impossible (for the Ukrainian authorities). The ban on negotiations with the Russian leadership, established by Mr. Zelensky on September 30, 2022, remains in effect. Draw your own conclusions,” said the top diplomat of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Lavrov acknowledged that recent events in the Middle East had somewhat shifted public attention away from Ukraine. However, “causing a strategic defeat for Russia” remained one of the West’s top priorities, he said.

“The so-called Ramstein format continues to operate, in which representatives of more than 50 countries discuss Kiev’s requests for military equipment and ammunition every month,” Lavrov said, referring to meetings at the US air base in Germany.

“Neither Washington nor Brussels has refused to provide support to the Kiev regime, realizing that without it it will inevitably fail. They (the West) remain extremely interested in containing Russia with the hands and bodies of the Ukrainian people.”

Russian Su-35 fighter jets provide cover for bombers to avoid enemy targeting. Video posted on Sputnik's Telegram channel, December 29, 2023

The West has provided “unprecedented” amounts of humanitarian, economic and military assistance to Ukraine to fight against Russia since Moscow launched its “special military operation” in February 2022. But this support is said to be waning amid internal political disputes and financial challenges on both sides of the Atlantic.

However, in early December, the White House expressed its intention to continue working with governments in Europe to force Moscow to enter peace talks on terms that Kiev could agree to by the end of 2024.

Jonathan Finer, Deputy National Security Adviser to US President Joe Biden, stated that if Russia refuses to negotiate on Ukraine's terms, the US and Europe will increase support for Kiev.

The proposed strategy is aimed at forcing Russia to choose between negotiations or facing a stronger Ukraine. The latter would mean Kiev would be backed by a strengthened industrial base in the US, Europe and Ukraine itself, potentially triggering a new wave of fighting.

Going to Davos in search of peace

On December 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call with Pope Francis and discussed the Ukraine Peace Formula.

Mr Zelensky first unveiled his 10-point peace formula in November 2022. The peace plan calls for Russia to withdraw its troops, restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity, release all prisoners of war and repatriate those who were deported. The formula also calls for ensuring energy security, food security and nuclear safety, according to the Kyiv Independent.

“I just spoke with Pope Francis to express my gratitude for his Christmas wishes to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, for his wishes of peace, a just peace for all of us,” Zelensky said, speaking of the call in his nightly video address to the nation.

In his Christmas message, Pope Francis encouraged prayers for peace and stability in countries, including Ukraine. “We discussed our joint work on the Peace Formula, which more than 80 countries have joined. I am grateful to the Vatican for supporting our work,” Zelensky said.

Mr. Zelensky met Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican in May 2023 and the two sides talked for more than half an hour.

Ukrainian soldiers at a position near the frontline town of Maryinka, Donetsk region, December 2023. Photo: The Guardian

In early December, the Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Ukraine Peace Formula will be discussed at the next round of negotiations to be held in Davos on January 14, 2024, one day before the opening of the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The Davos round will build on discussions from three previous rounds held in 2023, in Denmark (June), Saudi Arabia (August) and Malta (October). According to Kiev, the most recent event in Malta was attended by representatives from 66 countries and international organizations.

The Davos Peace Conference, co-hosted by Switzerland and Ukraine, is expected to continue implementing Mr Zelensky’s 10-point “Peace Formula”. However, this means the Ukrainian president still refuses to engage in any negotiations with Russia, and instead continues to pursue “victory at all costs” maximalism – fighting until all lost territory is retaken – despite the stalemate of the summer counter-offensive.

It remains to be seen how the Davos conference will bring Ukraine closer to peace, as no previous similar event has produced any tangible results. Moscow responded to the news by saying that the conference on the Ukrainian Peace Formula “is unlikely to lead to peace” as it only tried to “give Ukraine an ultimatum” without any discussion with the other side, i.e. Russia .

Minh Duc (According to Anadolu, Kyiv Independent, BNN Breaking, European Conservative)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/xung-dot-nga-ukraine-tim-kiem-hoa-binh-trong-giao-tranh-lien-mien-a643042.html