Why the European Left Should Support Peace in Ukraine
A negotiated end to the Ukraine War now seems possible, if the last remaining obstacles can be overcome. Of these, the most important is Russia’s demand that Ukraine leave the last remaining part of the Donbas region that it still holds. Putin apparently needs this if he is to be able to claim a qualified victory in a war that has cost Russia enormously for very limited gains. It is, however, obviously extremely hard for Ukraine to withdraw from part of its national territory, for which it has sacrificed so many lives.
The European Union and its leading members could make a valuable contribution to peace if, in return for Russia’s dropping this demand, they were to offer to suspend sanctions against Russia, resume purchases of Russian oil and gas (though without returning to prewar levels) and abandon the idea of a European “reassurance force” on Ukrainian territory—something that Russia has categorically rejected.
European leaders are now calling for the resumption of direct talks with Russia, and it is reported that former Finnish president Sauli Niinistö is being considered as an EU envoy to the Russian government. But Russian sources have told me an offer to talk is meaningless. The EU must put forward concrete proposals.
European progressive parties and groups could play a useful part in urging their governments toward making such proposals. Tragically, with rare exceptions, they are largely silent or opposed.
