Zelensky’s peace plan: solution or chimera?
For three days Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been promoting his ‘victory plan’ at various levels in the United States. The plan involves forcing Russia to back down through massive military aid. Today he will discuss the concept with President Biden. The press expresses doubts – regarding the necessary US support and the feasibility of the plan.
For Kyiv, it’s clear who is indebted to whom
In a Telegram post picked up by Echo, political scientist Vladimir Pastukhov analyses Zelensky’s interview with The New Yorker on the eve of his visit to Washington:
“The change of tone in his communication with the West is striking. An accusatory, demanding tone has now finally prevailed. ... Ukraine owes nothing to anyone, but it is owed something. It is fighting for the West and in place of the West. ... The question is who will pay to end the war. Ukraine has no intention of paying with its territories. It is the West that should pay with its weapons and its money. Ukraine still expects to be admitted to Nato as soon as possible and to receive the weapons it needs for victory.”
Don’t give up on Ukraine
In Libertatea, former Romanian foreign minister Teodor Baconschi warns against a ceasefire with borders that have been shifted by the war:
“This would jeopardise the medium and long-term security of the EU as Putin would embed his armies on a border much closer to the West, Ukraine would remain endemically vulnerable, and former Soviet republics would be even more deeply penetrated by the Kremlin’s propaganda and its criminal networks. ‘Sovereignist’ and Eurosceptic parties would grow ever stronger at the polls, and revisionist states in the rest of the world would feel emboldened by this policy of fait accompli to invade foreign territory. ... The ability of the US to control the international order would be significantly and probably irrevocably diminished.”
A signal to Nato
Delfi columnist Rimvydas Valatka takes a critical view:
“Ukraine is still asking the US for permission to use Western missiles to attack Russian military bases in Russia. But the US will not allow this. It is shamefully demanding that Ukraine fight the war against Russia with its hands tied. Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian ammunition depots are also a signal to Nato that Ukraine will soon no longer be dependent on Western missiles, but will develop and build its own weapons.”
