Editorial | Peace in Ukraine must be given a chance through negotiation
- Mistrust and bad faith are testing the line between humanitarian crisis and unmitigated disaster as the conflict escalates. Reason must prevail sooner rather than later
A humanitarian tragedy is unfolding unchecked in Ukraine. Calls from international leaders and diplomats for a ceasefire between Russian and Ukraine forces, negotiations and safe passage for millions fleeing the invasion have gone virtually unheeded. Instead the conflict escalates, with Russia approving the deployment of thousands of mercenaries from the Middle East and the European Union proposing a doubling of financing of military aid to Ukraine.
The two sides badly need a circuit-breaker. Both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have called for a diplomatic solution including a ceasefire and peace talks, and both have warned that Western sanctions against Russia could seriously damage a fragile global economy. The West continues to pressure Beijing to use its leverage with Moscow to mediate. Meanwhile, the United Nations says more than 2 million civilians, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine with millions more to follow.
The big powers must find their way around a gap in perception of responsibility for bringing the combatants to the negotiating table. The United States and other Western powers want China to use its influence with Russia. The counter argument is that the ball is in the court of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the US, given Russia’s bottom line that Nato must rule out membership for Ukraine and expansion of the security alliance towards its border.
Meanwhile, civilian casualties are rising sharply. Russian forces are meeting stiff resistance as they try to position themselves for a decisive assault on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Foreign minister Wang has told Europe’s top diplomat Josep Borrell the international community should support talks between Ukraine and Russia for a ceasefire. China is sending humanitarian aid. But pressure continues for Beijing to go further and leverage its economic and political power to play a proactive role in mediating a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, secure corridors for supply of essentials and medicines and safe passage of refugees remain a priority, wherever people want to go. Agreements have collapsed amid fears for safety. Mistrust and bad faith are testing the line between humanitarian crisis and unmitigated disaster. Reason must prevail sooner rather than later, and peace given a chance through negotiation.