Why imitation of peace threatens Ukraine more than a protracted war: an expert explains the details
11 August 22:45
OPINION
Ceding the territories – Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk regions – demanded by Russia in the format of peace talks could become a strategic trap for Ukraine. This opinion was expressed by Valeriy Chaly , chairman of the board of the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center, on his Facebook page, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
He is alarmed and concerned about how easily politicians, experts and the media are now manipulating the terms “cession of territories,” “exchange of territories, “ and “recognition of the occupied territories.”
An exchange of territories is when two countries formalize an agreement to exchange parts of their sovereign territories in international law, following domestic legal procedures. This is not an exchange of the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine for another part of the territory of Ukraine,” explains Chaly.
The expert also adds that the exchange of territories may involve relatively small areas or a small adjustment of the interstate border for mutual benefit (of course, without hostilities, occupation, or pressure).
Thus, the consolidation in the form of an international agreement (concluded and adopted in accordance with the norms and principles of international law with the relevant signatures) is not a de facto recognition of territorial changes. It is de jure recognition, regardless of the words used in the paper version of the document.
We are, of course, realists and do not expect that if the basic principles and norms of international law are ignored, if an embargo is not imposed on the aggressor and an international coalition is not created to force it to peace, there is a possibility of a quick de-occupation of Ukraine. But now we need to talk not about Ukraine’s territorial concessions (this is virtually impossible to implement), but about the occupation regime and Russia’s obligations in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories,” Chaly continued.
In addition, the head of the board of the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center raised a number of rhetorical but urgent questions. Among them:
- What is the fate of the adults and children who were taken away (and in fact abducted by the occupiers)?
- Why did Russia give itself the right to involve Ukrainians in the war against Ukraine itself?
- Why do Ukrainians in Donetsk and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea suffer from a lack of basic necessities such as drinking water?
Dear friends, we are all for peace! But let’s first define definitions. Calling a log a propeller will not make it fly! Decide on the sequence of actions. Don’t put the horse before the cart!” urged Chaly.
In his opinion, it is first necessary to develop a stronger negotiating position, and only then to organize bilateral meetings between the Ukrainian leadership and each of the partners that will guarantee Ukraine’s post-war security. And the final stage of the negotiation process should be a summit that will bring together the initiators of the war and the invaders, Russia and its allies, and, on the other hand, those who want to force the aggressor to peace, Ukraine and its partners.
Other options are imitation of peace talks, which (in addition to the withdrawal of Russian war criminals from international isolation) may result in the accusation of Ukraine (we have already seen this in the Oval Office), Donald Trump and the United States withdrawing from the peace process, continuation of the war, and not a summit, the purpose of which should be a truly sustainable peace,” the expert summarized.
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