Is the only option now to accept Russia's victory in the war in Ukraine provoked by the West in order not to risk the welfare state, our enviroment and the survival of our one human family?

• Wolfgang Lieberknecht

Russia will continue to advance in Ukraine in the coming weeks. I gather this from the predictions of many international observers whom I have been following for years and whose assessments have proven to be correct. Russia will send many new forces to Ukraine, which will further increase the superiority of the Russian army. Ukraine and the West will not be able to prevent this.

Russia is offering to accept an end to the war. But only on its own terms. They never want to be in danger of being threatened by NATO troops on the outskirts of Moscow again. Russia sees this as an existential threat. And there are enough statements from the West that Russia must disappear as a unified, strong state and that they want its raw materials. The Chinese and many peoples of the Global South have now recognised that the West first wants to weaken Russia in order to then take on China and other states that no longer want to accept the centuries-long domination of Western states.

The many wars of aggression waged by NATO show that this military alliance is indeed a real threat to other peoples, to weaker countries that cannot defend themselves militarily. International law has not protected them from NATO.

But should we accept that Russia takes over parts of what was previously Ukraine and demands a neutral Ukraine with limited military capacity?

Some say that this cannot be accepted, that it violates international law. But have we not also accepted the many wars waged by NATO countries in violation of international law? Have they been condemned for this to this day? Have they made reparations? Are they credible when they condemn Russia of all countries? Can you forbid others to do what you yourself do because you believed you were stronger?

Russia will not be stopped. If you do not accept that we annex four regions, we will take eight tomorrow, declared the Russian negotiating delegation in Istanbul.

If that reflects the real balance of power, it should not be accepted in order to preserve as much of Ukraine as possible and to end the killing! To stop the still possible 'escalation into a global conflagration that could burn us all, including and above all the Ukrainians. 

Will enough people be found who represent and enforce this realpolitik position? Despite the hostility of those who want to continue or even escalate the war on the backs of the Ukrainians, Russians and the world's population?

There is no evidence to support their claims that Russia wants to threaten other European countries. According to its own statements, Russia has always been concerned only with keeping NATO away from its border and its capital and protecting the Russian minority. Shouldn't we test whether this is serious (I believe it is serious) before risking the survival of us all? And shouldn't we also test it because the arms build-up that has now begun would destroy our welfare state and the environment?

Such claims are merely an attempt to justify those who dragged us into this war, who presented it as inevitable and as a possible easy victory against a weak Russia. German politicians have been wrong before. First at the expense of 27 million Soviet citizens and ultimately at the expense of their own population.

Now is the time for moral courage in the struggle for the lives of every single soldier and civilian in Ukraine and Russia through a peace treaty that reflects the situation and balances interests. 

Let us remember the great idea of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that we should all see ourselves as members of one large human family. Or the idea of the UN Charter, that conflicts should only be resolved by peaceful means. Or John F. Kennedy's idea that not only Americans but also Russians want to live in peace.

Excerpts from John F. Kennedy's speech: "Let us preserve our national interests while also preserving the interests of humanity. And the elimination of war and weapons obviously serves both interests. (...) We will pursue our own vital interests, but above all, the nuclear powers must avoid confrontations in which an adversary has only the choice between humiliating retreat and nuclear war. To take such a course in the nuclear age would be a declaration of the bankruptcy of our politics – or of our desire for the collective death of the entire world. (...) Let us not ignore our differences, but let us also focus on our common interests and on how we can overcome our differences. And if we are unable to put an end to our differences now, we can at least contribute to laying a secure foundation for diversity in this world. Ultimately, our most fundamental commonality is that we all live on this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all care about the future of our children. And we are all mortal. (..) For world peace, as for peace within a community, it is not necessary for everyone to love their neighbour. It is only necessary that they be able to live together through mutual tolerance and settle disputes in a just and peaceful manner. History teaches us that enmities between nations do not last forever, and this is also true of people."

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 formulates a common ideal for humanity to strive towards

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

(..) whereas it is essential that, in order to achieve this, all members of the human family should strive to promote the principles of justice, freedom, equality, tolerance and mutual respect for the rights of all,

Article 1 All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. (..)

Article 3 Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. (..)

Article 28 Everyone has the right to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realised.

Article 29 (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

Wolfgang Lieberknecht, International Peacefactory Wanfried IFFW