With the recent progress made in the Middle East, notably the ceasefire between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas, many eyes are now focused on resolving the conflict in Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, Russia began a military operation in which they seized Ukrainian territory. This war has become a brutally long conflict, consuming a sizable amount of resources from allied countries. With eyes now fixated on the prospect of peace, it is up to us to come up with a number of probable solutions to the conflict. This article reflects my opinions on some possible solutions, but governments are obviously working hard to resolve this conflict.
One way to end the war is to push more money into the conflict. Ukraine has proven a worthy military opponent to Russia, so allotting more resources to Ukraine may cause Russia to see the situation as counterproductive to their cause. With the United States providing around 37% of resources for Ukraine, it is only fair that Europe increases their financial aid. After all, the war has more immediate consequences to Europe than it does America. According to the EU’s website, the European Union is entering its 10th consecutive year of increasing spending on the defense budget. This year’s budget: $445 billion. Europe, who has long relied on America as “the protector” of the western world, seems more concerned with protecting themselves than swaying the outcome of the vital war in Ukraine. If both Europe and the US focus their efforts on providing aid to Ukraine, Russia will have no choice but to pursue peace. While this plan seems good in theory, there are political and financial problems with this. First of all, Russia’s military budget, though veiled by limited information, is likely higher than we think. Russian President Vladimir Putin knows the importance of this war, especially because he has already taken territory in Ukraine. This will make his terms for peace higher. Financially, Ukraine will be economically ruined by this war. Loans from the US and the EU to Ukraine will likely not be paid back for years, if ever. With the current debt of our nation, it seems unwise to continue to support this war on our own.
Some other, less favorable solutions have arisen. A treaty, though unlikely, will serve the immediate needs of both Russia and Europe. One reason Putin felt justified in his invasion is that much of eastern Ukraine considers themselves ethnically Russian. By allowing him to take this area, he may halt further military progress. However, with the strength of their military, Russia is unlikely to agree to terms with Ukraine, especially because they are winning the war in terms of territorial gains. But, to stop human suffering, both sides may have to give in a little. If Russia agrees that Ukraine can continue to be an independent nation, at least in the territory they have retained, then it seems reasonable to give Russia the part of the country it has already conquered. In addition, Russia may want to keep this conflict going on for as long as possible. Ukraine has received a vast amount of defense resources; resources that would have gone to protecting the rest of Europe. If Putin’s plan is to weaken western Europe by draining its resources with this war, then he is certainly doing a good job.
If we want to bring peace to Ukraine, it is vital we understand Putin’s actions as less of a monstrous, idiotic act of evil and more as a calculated risk. But what are the stakes? It is more than reasonable to assume that Putin wants to keep the west out of the former eastern block and former Soviet territories. To Putin, Ukraine is simply a subdivision of Russia, not a separate state. He looks at Ukraine as we look at states like New York or Alaska. He wants to show the world that NATO is not allowed to encroach any closer to Russia. He has stated many times that NATO’s main goal is to encircle and destroy Russia, which is a somewhat paranoid fantasy. He is determined to not let “the West” tell Russia what to do, and that may mean drawing a boundary between Russian influence and the western world.
While peace in Ukraine may seem like an impossible task, Governments across the world, including those involved in the conflict, can work together to stop the unnecessary human suffering that war brings. Peace may mean a compromise. Peace may mean a ceasefire. Peace may mean a treaty. But if one thing can bring about the peace we dream about, it is simple diplomacy. Radicals will tell you that the enemy doesn’t deserve mercy, and that diplomatic solutions are false ones. This is not the case in our modern world. Putin’s Russia isn’t a mindless monster; instead, it is a methodic but stubborn country full of people. To reach humanity’s goal of long-lasting peace, diplomatic relations with Russia must increase, before we lose more lives.
