Peacemaking
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia passed its one year mark this week. Looking ahead, most analysts see only continued carnage and devastation. The U.S. and Europe are pledging more arms, including advanced tanks. President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to press for fighter planes and long-range missiles. He is committed to victory over Russia. Russia continues to prepare for greater military engagement, despite heavy losses on the battlefield.
It is not clear what “victory” for anyone would look like. President Biden’s visit to Kyiv and his commitment of another $2 billion in military aid offered no sign of a willingness to encourage negotiations toward peace.
This commitment to military solutions is bringing all of us closer to destruction. The history of military efforts to secure political ends has failed repeatedly. This is especially true when massive military states invade small countries. From Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan large nation states have been unable to impose their will on people dedicated to resistance. In the meantime, these states have brought massive death and destruction – Putin knows this. He understands that after decades of death in Afghanistan, Russia left the battlefields in defeat. Replaced by the US, it too destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives, gaining nothing as the Taliban returned to power.
And the United States knows this. While publicly wedded to military solutions, there are some indications that people are questioning where this is all headed. “It is time for the United States and its allies to get directly involved in shaping Ukraine’s strategic objectives, managing the conflict and seeking a diplomatic endgame,” said Charles A. Kupchan, an official with the Council on Foreign Relations. He echoes concerns raised by the Chairmen of the joint Chiefs of Staff and some European analysts who remind us that, “Peace talks are possible if there is a political will to engage in them.”
The creation of that political will won’t come from political leaders. They’re dazzled by the profits of war and wary of making the kinds of changes required to address the global climate crisis. Additionally, they’re devoid of a vision of a world based on mutual respect, justice, and care – politicians only respond to threats to their power.
Historically, people push for peace, not politicians. On this anniversary it is important for us to recognize the growing efforts by people for peace and to contribute to strengthening them. Within the US, under a barrage of propaganda supporting Ukraine and military solutions, people of conscience are demonstrating for a cease fire and negotiated settlement of the conflict. CODEPINK is calling for demonstrations on International Women’s Day to remind us that peace is possible.
Within Russia we have seen extraordinary acts of courage and resistance to war. From the tens of thousands of young men fleeing the country to the quiet acts of individuals using flowers to acknowledge their common humanity with the people of Ukraine, people in Russia are taking great risks to challenge the violence of war being carried out by their leaders.
We need to join in pressuring for peace. Another world is only possible if we act to bring it to life.