The Flawed American Peace Proposal for Ukraine
Let us be clear: the peace agreement that the USA is currently advocating for Russia and Ukraine to sign will not usher in peace. Conversely, it includes provisions that Vladimir Putin could exploit to further his imperial ambitions and gradually extend his control over larger portions of Europe. There has been widespread outrage regarding the American suggestion to formally recognize Crimea as part of Russia. Such a move would set a dangerous precedent, allowing a country to invade another, occupy its land, ethnically cleanse its populace, and subsequently claim legal rights to that territory. This has not been the status quo in Europe for 80 years.
The proposal contradicts Ukraine’s constitution. The mere suggestion, and the subsequent criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for asserting that Ukraine can never accept this reality, is astonishing. A legal acknowledgment of Crimea as Russian territory would mean that one country can invade another, occupy its land, ethnically cleanse its population, and then receive legal validation to retain it.
Additionally, the American peace plan also entails a prohibition on Ukraine's accession to NATO. By doing so, the USA could be gifting Putin the power to dictate the security policies of neighboring countries. Paradoxically, while the agreement suggests that Ukraine should be able to join the EU, one must question whether former President Trump believes he has any authority over that decision.
As serious as the proposition to recognize Crimea is the American aim to lift sanctions on Russia and release all frozen Russian assets. With support from both China and the USA, Russia could swiftly commence rebuilding its economy and fortifying its damaged military capabilities. Stopping the fighting in Ukraine would provide Putin the opportunity he requires to strengthen his forces for further aggressive actions.
The peace proposal glaringly omits any requirements for Russia to pay reparations to Ukraine, which it has unprovokedly assaulted for over three years. There are no provisions addressing the severe Russian war crimes, the kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children, or any guarantees of future security support from the USA for Ukraine.
In his peace negotiations, Trump has taken one side of the equation by acknowledging the current realities in Ukraine and juxtaposed that with Russia's most extreme demands, placing himself somewhere in between. Unfortunately, this means that Putin could achieve nearly all his objectives while positioning himself for a renewed offensive in the coming years, bolstered with improved strength against Ukraine and potentially other nations.
This plan, as it stands, cannot be accepted by Ukraine or by the rest of Europe. Instead of waiting for Trump to reconsider his flirtations with Putin, the EU must assert itself and clarify that this is not an issue for the USA to unilaterally decide. When US Secretary of State Marco Rubio withdrew from the impending peace meeting in London, it ultimately led to European ministers also staying away, once more reinforcing the notion that Europe sees itself as subordinate to American dictates.
Europe must take charge of this peace process, create its own strategies, and firmly state that Ukraine will not be coerced into submission. The USA has demonstrated a lack of genuine concern for Ukraine’s plight, with Trump implying that Zelensky is the weaker party who should yield. On the contrary, the EU is a formidable power, and strength is the only language that Trump appears to comprehend.
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