The issue has escalated against the background of a statement by the head of the Russia Research Center and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Volodymyr Ogryzko. He commented on the recent remarks by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense, Vadym Skibitsky, that there is no way to win the war only on the battlefield in Ukraine. Is Kyiv really preparing to end the war with a minus sign?
Ogryzko explained that the statement by the Ministry of Defense representative itself is not catastrophic, as he is entitled to his own opinion. However, the problem lies in having an opinion on a certain issue versus officially proclaiming it. If we add to this the fact that the issue is practically existential for Ukraine, it is clear that permission should be obtained to make such categorical statements, if not an order, in order to avoid a scandal and loss of position.
The former Minister of Foreign Affairs sees this as preparing the public to the idea of surrendering. What is even worse is that this trend is not only evident in this statement but in a series of others. Similar thoughts are not new. They imply that the situation has reached a dead-end: either allies are not providing weapons, or if they are, it is too slow, so there is no other way out.
It is particularly dangerous that this rhetoric is increasing just before the Global Peace Summit scheduled for June. Huge expectations are placed on this international event, with political analysts noting that important decisions regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war are expected to be made this year. There will certainly be those who will call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, for its freezing, for any actions that will “stop the bloodshed”. Of course, Ukraine does not need bloodshed, but agreeing to Russia’s terms, only to receive a new devastating blow in a few years leading to even more destruction and asymmetrically increasing the number of deaths, is a very poor alternative to the current war.
The First Global Summit is scheduled for June 15-16 in Switzerland. Both Ukraine and Russia, as well as other third countries, are preparing for it. It is stated that its main goal is “to create a common understanding of the methods of achieving comprehensive, just, and strong peace for Ukraine in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.”
Although Russia is not officially invited there, there is suspicion that the Kremlin plans to disrupt this event.
