EAST AND WEST

Rarely discussed in contemporary commentaries on the Ukraine conflict, during the initial weeks following Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, there were three notable attempts by Russia and Ukraine to negotiate a peaceful resolution. These attempts shared key elements: they could have ended the war before substantial damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure and loss of lives occurred, all involved Ukraine refraining from joining NATO, and all were thwarted by the United States. A recent article in the US magazine “The American Conservation” throws light on this.

The First Talks: Belarus
Shortly after the invasion commenced, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled readiness to forego NATO membership pursuit. He proposed discussions with Moscow on neutrality and security guarantees. Though motivated by the invasion’s force and NATO’s reluctance to accept Ukraine, the U.S. blocked these talks, dismissing them as undiplomatic given ongoing hostilities.

The Second Talks: Bennett
A similar pattern emerged in the second negotiation round. Ukrainian Prime Minister Naftali Bennett engaged in talks with Putin mediated by Israel. Putin made significant concessions, while Zelensky pledged not to join NATO. Despite the potential for success, U.S. interference prevented an agreement, opting to confront Putin instead.

The Third Talks: Istanbul
Efforts then shifted to Istanbul, offering promise due to Turkey’s relationships with both sides. These talks yielded a tentative agreement, including Ukraine’s neutrality pledge, which Putin confirmed. The U.S. once again obstructed progress, as reports suggest the U.S. and U.K. preferred war for broader strategic goals.

Impeding Peace
In each negotiation round, a genuine opportunity for peace emerged. Concessions were made, including Ukraine’s promise not to join NATO. However, the U.S. consistently blocked diplomatic resolutions, allowing the conflict to continue and intensify, seemingly driven by its own interests rather than those of Ukraine.