I am shocked at how glib your words are. I'm surprised at how detached your analysis is from a geopolitical and humanitarian analysis. America has a duty to act in cases of potential genocide.
Why do you concede the imperialist narrative of Russia in your analysis? You appear to speak of a war between Russia and the world, paternalistically relegating Ukraine to the position of a partner being negotiated for. While your analysis is obviously aimed at American readers, if you fail to recognize the motivation of Ukraine this entire article/post was a moot point. Ukraine is fighting against a genocide (see below) and will not negotiate a lasting peace with the side that calls for her extermination (if you speak Russian I encourage you to listen to their state TV). It's 2024, let's at least pretend Ukraine has a seat at the table negotiating her own existence. Polling of Ukrainians demonstrate a super majority are against ceding territory to Putin. Do you believe this may be a meaningful barrier to peace? How about the 29 ceasefire agreements broken between 2014 and 2022? Why would Ukraine believe Putin is going to be true to his word this time? Why didn't you speak about the 10 point formula for peace that was submitted by the Ukrainians? It's the only plan we've seen and it follows the UN charter. Dozens of nations were involved in constructing it.
From a humanitarian context (which is very relevant to the possibility of a peace between the people of Ukraine and the Russian occupied states):
Why didn't you mention the atrocities committed by Russia? The abducted children that lead to the ICC arrest warrant issued for Putin? The sexual assaults, torture, murder, and maiming of Ukrainian civilians as found by multiple international human rights bodies? The New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights issued an analysis in 2022 that indicated they believe Russia has breached Article II and Article III (c) of the Genocide Convention. Don't kid yourself about the depth of the crimes committed by Russia- go read the UN report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.
Geopolitically, what do you think the costs will be to the USA of letting Putin annex territory like this? What will the costs be to the world for the technology transfers from Russia to Iran and North Korea in exchange for the ballistic missiles he uses to hit apartment buildings and hospitals? What happens when the worst actors in our world realize there are no longer grave penalties for nations committing genocide?
We (western countries) will suffer for the arrogance of western analysts who so willingly advocated for trading away the freedom of Ukrainians for a few more years of not having to worry about war. War will come to us just like it always does when you appease fascist societies with imperial dreams.
Ms. Ashford:
I am shocked at how glib your words are. I'm surprised at how detached your analysis is from a geopolitical and humanitarian analysis. America has a duty to act in cases of potential genocide.
Why do you concede the imperialist narrative of Russia in your analysis? You appear to speak of a war between Russia and the world, paternalistically relegating Ukraine to the position of a partner being negotiated for. While your analysis is obviously aimed at American readers, if you fail to recognize the motivation of Ukraine this entire article/post was a moot point. Ukraine is fighting against a genocide (see below) and will not negotiate a lasting peace with the side that calls for her extermination (if you speak Russian I encourage you to listen to their state TV). It's 2024, let's at least pretend Ukraine has a seat at the table negotiating her own existence. Polling of Ukrainians demonstrate a super majority are against ceding territory to Putin. Do you believe this may be a meaningful barrier to peace? How about the 29 ceasefire agreements broken between 2014 and 2022? Why would Ukraine believe Putin is going to be true to his word this time? Why didn't you speak about the 10 point formula for peace that was submitted by the Ukrainians? It's the only plan we've seen and it follows the UN charter. Dozens of nations were involved in constructing it.
From a humanitarian context (which is very relevant to the possibility of a peace between the people of Ukraine and the Russian occupied states):
Why didn't you mention the atrocities committed by Russia? The abducted children that lead to the ICC arrest warrant issued for Putin? The sexual assaults, torture, murder, and maiming of Ukrainian civilians as found by multiple international human rights bodies? The New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights issued an analysis in 2022 that indicated they believe Russia has breached Article II and Article III (c) of the Genocide Convention. Don't kid yourself about the depth of the crimes committed by Russia- go read the UN report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.
Geopolitically, what do you think the costs will be to the USA of letting Putin annex territory like this? What will the costs be to the world for the technology transfers from Russia to Iran and North Korea in exchange for the ballistic missiles he uses to hit apartment buildings and hospitals? What happens when the worst actors in our world realize there are no longer grave penalties for nations committing genocide?
We (western countries) will suffer for the arrogance of western analysts who so willingly advocated for trading away the freedom of Ukrainians for a few more years of not having to worry about war. War will come to us just like it always does when you appease fascist societies with imperial dreams.
If it were not for Russia, Ukraine would be a pariah state.
The only reason Russia is so demonized is that it resists American hegemony.