The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains a focal point of international attention. In the backdrop of the G7 meeting in Italy, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented another set of conditions for peace. With a history of grievances and geopolitical maneuvering, Putin’s demands reflect a broader strategy that intertwines Russia’s historical narrative and its current geopolitical ambitions. Let’s explore!
Historical Context To Russia And Its Position
Russia’s stance in the Ukraine conflict cannot be fully understood without acknowledging its historical context. Historically, Russia has been subjected to invasions and interference from Western powers. From the Napoleonic invasions to the incursions during both World Wars, Russia has often found itself on the receiving end of Western aggression.Â
Puppet Presidents were elected and granted Nobel Prizes to help the West break Russia into smaller manageable pieces!Â
These actions have fostered a deeply ingrained sense of vulnerability and defensiveness in the Russians against the West. Russian history encourages Putin’s rhetoric and actions, which emphasize the protection of Russian sovereignty and regional influence.
The US and Western Use Ukraine In A Proxy War With Russia?
The West’s involvement in Ukraine seems like an attempt to settle historical Cold War scores. The US and Deep State will stop at nothing to limit Russian influence in the world. Thus, despite the end of the Cold War, the West has pursued a hidden agenda to cast Russia in the role of a villain.
In Ukraine, the Western nations are led by the United States to provide substantial military and financial aid to wage a war against Russia.
The Ukrainian soldiers are unrained to even operate half the military weapons supplied to them. Thus, it is safe to assume that military aid comes in more forms than just weapons, it may also include supplying expertise to use these weapons in the name of Ukraine!
And this is framed as their support and defense of democracy! All the while NATO is trying to get Ukraine to become a member so that the US air base can exist in the Russian backyard. Thus, Putin’s Russia sees it as an encroachment on its traditional sphere of influence and a direct challenge to its strategic interests.
Putin’s Latest Conditional Peace Proposal To Ukraine
The G7 meeting took place in Italy. The Ukrainian comedian-turned-president was present there and met with the leaders of different nations. Yesterday, President Putin presented another peace proposal. The proposal has specific conditions for peace between the West and Ukraine. Ukraine would drop its NATO ambitions in writing. Additionally, it would cede control of the four provinces where Moscow’s dominance is established: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya.
Putin says that Kyiv should consider the good of Ukraine before they deem it unacceptable.
Thus, if Kyiv refuses it will be tantamount to Ukrainian surrender to Russia. Why? Because Russia may launch a full offensive to ensure that the US does not gain another foothold in Europe. Putin’s insistence on these terms underscores his confidence in Russia’s military position. And his strategic objective seems to be to keep Ukraine within Russia’s sphere of influence.
Additional conditions set forth by Putin also include the demilitarization and “denazification” of Ukraine. These words are a way for Russia to delegitimize the Ukrainian government. These terms come combined with the demand for an end to Western sanctions. They illustrate Russia’s broader strategy of using the conflict to weaken Western alliances and assert its own geopolitical agenda.
Western Reactions and Ukraine’s Sovereignty
Western leaders, including U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, have firmly rejected Putin’s demands. Underscoring Ukraine’s right to determine its own future, they continue to arm the nation to the hilt and destroy its people within. By presenting the narrative of reinforcing Ukraine’s sovereignty, the West wants to counter Russian advances through sustained military and economic support. Of course, they do not talk about how their gun lobby is minting profits through the same aids.
And they do not talk of how NATO has been trying to encircle Russia in its net of military bases around its borders.Â
Puppet President Zelensky has rejected the offer on behalf of Ukraine. He states that any peace must be predicated on the full withdrawal of Russian forces. And he insists on the restoration of its pre-2014 borders. That means he wants Crimea back! And so President Zelenskiy characterizes Putin’s proposals as an ultimatum, one that intends to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty.
Ukraine Missed The Opportunity For Early Peace
In early 2022, there were claims that a peace agreement was nearly within reach in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. This peace could have ended hostilities shortly after they began. According to some reports, including statements from Ukrainian negotiators, Western leaders led by the UK stopped Ukraine from finalizing the agreement.
The Western Lobby wanted Kyiv to continue its resistance against Russia, then and now.
They don’t want peace, they want to subjugate russia!
This report suggests that the continuation of the war is partially due to Western influence. The Russians have been trying to broker peace since 2022. However, each peace treaty Russia proposes comes from a winner’s point of view. Thus, Ukraine is not placed in the place of positive negotiations. And the war has helped NATO gain more EU nations in its basket! So, the aim of this prolonged conflict in Europe is to achieve broader strategic objectives against Russia.
Current State and Future Prospects
As the conflict continues, both sides remain entrenched in their positions. Putin’s recent speech ahead of a Swiss summit on Ukraine, which excluded Russia, emphasized his unwavering conditions for peace. They come from a position of strength gained through accumulating the enemies of the West in their corner. Iran, North Korea, and China have sided with Russia. So Putin’s Russia is not alone in resisting the Deep State and its Western powers on a leash.Â
The ongoing war in Ukraine is heading towards nuclear grandstanding, escalating the possibility of world war 3!
Russia’s nuclear submarine is docked in Cuba and it has nuclear drills with Bulgaria to highlight that Moscow means business this time. Bharat needs to chart these complex interplays carefully. The historical grievances, geopolitical strategies, and international alliances need a strong India to ensure that no matter who wins, Bharat gets its share of benefits. Despite the proposal of peace, its prospects are non-existent. Let’s hope that the West understands that a warhorse like Putin’s Russia is not a nation to be messed with easily. Until then, let’s hold our breath and wait for the next chess move in this game of power!