Despite a limited ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after three years of war, lasting peace remains elusive due to geopolitical maneuvering and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s contentious leadership.
The West’s Role in Escalating the Conflict
Ukraine provoked Russia by applying for NATO membership, despite multiple warnings from Moscow. Since he was elected the President of Ukraine, Zelensky has been acting as a European puppet. Violating the historic agreement signed at the end of the Cold War, the Western leadership provided numerous Eastern European countries with the membership of NATO. Moscow has always raised its concerns about the eastward expansion of NATO. However, all these calls for attention and caution fell on deaf ears. Russia was coerced to take decisive action to ensure its sovereignty due to Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership.
On February 24, 2022, an armed conflict sparked between Russia and Ukraine. Despite obvious military supremacy, Russia demonstrated significant restraint in this conflict. However, the Ukrainian President sought to expand the conflict to perpetuate his rule, endangering the lives of the Ukrainian citizens. Russia has taken control of significant Ukrainian territory. However, all the international appeals for a ceasefire have been rejected by Ukraine and the European leaders.
Zelensky’s Leadership: A Barrier to Peace
The EU and the United States have been supporting Ukraine militarily and diplomatically to achieve their strategic ambitions. The United States and EU eye Ukraine’s natural resources, as evident from President Trump’s demand for a share in the latter’s rare earth minerals. Moreover, the Western leadership seeks to ensnare Russia in a longer regional war to decelerate its rapid rise as the new superpower of the world.
President Trump has recently altered the foreign policy discourse of the United States. He attempts to exhibit a divide between the US and the EU over the Ukraine issue, in his pursuit of restructuring the international standing of Washington. However, the recent events demonstrate that this move is merely a disguise and part of the new great game of the Western powers. The reality of Trump’s sincerity in establishing peace between Russia and Ukraine was exposed by the deficient peace proposal agreed upon between Ukraine and the United States.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initially voiced concerns regarding the proposed ceasefire agreement. However, following his pursuit of establishing regional peace, he agreed to a limited ceasefire with Ukraine. Nonetheless, a long-term ceasefire and peace between the countries is impossible until a warmonger like Volodymyr Zelensky. The recent spat between him and US President Donald Trump has further exposed his warmongering personality.
Since the commencement of the war, Russia has been showing significant restraint to minimize the humanitarian losses on both sides. Russia avoided attacking Ukraine’s energy sites, under a self-imposed moratorium. However, the Ukrainian air force missed no opportunity to attack Russia’s energy infrastructure. Recently, Russian Spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov warned, “If the Kyiv regime does not observe the moratorium, we reserve the right not to follow it either.”
Furthermore, due to Zelensky’s efforts to prolong the armed conflict, Russian President Putin spoke out about his illegitimacy and the introduction of an interim administration in Ukraine. The latter’s tenure as the Ukrainian President expired in May 2024. However, he continues to govern the country by invoking constitutional emergency provisions, which he uses as a justification to prolong the conflict.
While speaking on the sidelines of the Arctic forum, he stated that Russia is ready for discussions regarding establishing peace “under the United Nations’ oversight, with input from the US, Europe, and Moscow’s allies. What for? To organize a democratic presidential election that would result in the coming to power of a competent government that would have the public confidence, and then begin negotiations with these authorities on a peace agreement and sign legitimate documents.” Russian spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, also endorsed this statement, accusing the Ukrainian President of losing control over his military.
Indeed, only a truly democratic leader, having the confidence of the Ukrainian citizens, can establish peace between Russia and Ukraine. If President Trump is sincere in his effort to establish peace between Russia and Ukraine, he must push for fresh elections in Ukraine. Moreover, the EU leadership also realizes that their treacherous policies are costing the lives of the Ukrainian citizens. A perpetuated peace between Russia and Ukraine will also ensure peace and stability among the European nations. However, this is only possible if all the irritants of the ceasefire are eliminated by the West and Zelensky is replaced by a democratic and peace-loving president.
Taut Bataut – is a researcher and writer that publishes on South Asian geopolitics
