President Zelenskyy’s request to the West has been military by nature since the beginning of the war. Now its day 22. What are the efforts from the Western leaders (Apart from the French and Israelian premiers) and the Ukrainian President himself to bring the conflict to a negotiation table and resolve it?
Whether seeking membership in the Nato bloc or later its intervention, hailing European countries for providing arms or taunting Germany when it was not ready to offer weapons, and above all urging Ukrainians to arm themselves and fight an incoming Russian army, the Ukrainian President’s approach to stop the war has been through a military confrontation.
On Wednesday, President Zelenskyy appealed to the US House of Representatives through video. He equated what Ukraine is facing every day to Pearl Harbour and 9/11. He ended his address by saying, “We need you right now.” On the other hand, US President Joe Biden assured Ukraine of $1 billion in lethal aid, including support for long-range anti-aircraft missiles and drones.
Now, at the moment, what does Zelenskyy want? War or Peace? His wishlist has been consistent. He wants three things.
First, he wants the US and its Nato allies to intervene in the war. His rhetoric and even sarcasm and laments speak for it. Second, (as an alternative) he wants massive military aid to exhaust the Russian forces. Third, he wants the West to punish Russia economically through unparalleled sanctions.
Incidentally, none of these things will stop Russia or end the war. On the contrary, they will either make the battle more bloody or take it to levels with far-reaching consequences for the entire world.
The reality is ordinary Ukrainians are suffering. They are fleeing their own nation and seeking refuge in neighboring countries. If the war goes on, reconstructing their lands and rehabilitating their lives back to the days before the war would take years. Does Zelenskyy really care about this?
Instead of allowing the war to extend to 22 days, pleading armed intervention and lethal aid from the West, as a President, he should have stopped the war by himself or with the support of the international community, even before it began.
When a lot of rhetoric can come from him now, he could have put them to good use earlier and secured a peace deal aforehand.
Fighting the Russian forces might give him credit as a bold President who stood his ground to fight back. But is he displaced like ordinary Ukrainians? No. Why did he let Ukrainians face a situation where they have to hide and flee for life? His so-called boldness or the standing ovation given to him in the US house of representatives will not reverse the losses people have suffered.
The leaders of Western nations pumping military equipment into Ukraine should look at what’s happening to people’s lives. Citizens are leaving the comforts of their homes and seeking shelter in no man’s land. So aggravating this war means worsening their condition.
Ukraine need not become an occupied state of Russia. But, at the same time, it need not stay as a pawn of the West. So neutrality is not going to cost a thing. On the contrary, it will save people’s life and livelihood.
This war must end right away in a peaceful accord, for the sake of the people of Ukraine. But suppose leaders are looking forward to scripting their characters as war heroes in the pages of history (by continuing the war), then they don’t deserve to govern people. Instead, they should step down and let someone prudent assume their roles.
President Zelenskyy should understand that delaying peace by retaliating would make the plight of the Ukrainians worse. With more military aid flowing in, the war can also spillover. Therefore, the US and its Nato allies should send their negotiators to Ukraine and Russia, not drones, missiles, ammunition.
Image Source: PTI