Kloke ord
Robin Horsfall
Negotiation now, is a deal with the Devil.
Russia only asks for talks when there is an advantage to gain from them. That advantage might be a pause in battle, a deception to weaken an enemy, or because they are losing.
When Russia has the advantage, they never negotiate. If they do talk, they demand everything in return for 'peace'. What they demand is usually so outrageous that it bewilders the western mind. Russians know western nations place a high value on human life and hope they will come to an arrangement. They want something for nothing!
It there is a ceasefire, it gives an opponent hope that can be dashed against the wall later. Russia will accuse their victims of refusing to engage in dialogue and project their own actions onto their enemy, sowing confusion with deliberate reverse psychology. When they combine this with a propaganda effort in the (only too willing), western press, they attempt to convince people that it is Ukraine that is being unreasonable..
In negotiation, Russia's objective is to maintain a high level of threat in the belief that eventually, their enemies will offer something to stop the war. In the case of Ukraine, it would be a new international border with Russia holding onto Donbas and Crimea in return for an end to the conflict. Such an arrangement would not be peace, it would be appeasement, and only encourage Russia to push further when it had recovered its losses.
President Zelensky understands this better than western leaders. Ukraine has been under the Russian boot for many generations. The reason Ukrainian Generals perform so well is because they understand their enemy. Russia will play 'chicken' by raising the stakes in the hope that the opponent will submit. Zelensky knows that if he compromises he loses, if not today then definitely in a few years time.
Russia must come to the table as losers, only then will a peace agreement be possible. That moment might arrive suddenly when their money, materiel and manpower are exhausted.
A temporary peace now, means a greater war tomorrow. Ukraine should not do deals with the Devil!
Slava Ukraini!
Who Dares Shares
Robin Horsfall