There is a war waging in Europe today, a conflict between Russia and the Ukraine. However, if that conflict had been limited to those two states, perhaps today it would have been finished. But no, Ukraine is supported by the USA, NATO and the rest of the so-called West and they are inundating Kiev with all kinds of weapons, from heavy armaments to warplanes. According to Statista, the total amount of assistance given to Ukraine from 24 January 2022 until 24 February 2023 amounted to 156 billion euros. This amount includes financial, humanitarian, and military assistance.
The objective of humanity at this moment is to stop the armed conflict that is taking place in the centre of Europe. However, this cannot happen if military assistance continues to flow into that country from NATO and other like-minded states. The continuation of the war can only lead to more human suffering, further destruction to the country and also put at risk the existence of the whole planet if the nuclear option is used as a final resort.
Corruption in Ukraine is a major problem and some of the financial assistance to that country could land in the hands of corrupt officials. Vsevolod Knyazev, president of the Ukrainian Supreme Court, was arrested on May 18 for receiving bribes of 3 million USD. Vasyl Lozynski, deputy minister of infrastructure was arrested for receiving 400.000 USD in bribes. These are but examples, and many more similar cases exist.
Nobody speaks about the opposition in the Ukraine, because it seems that it barely functions. On 20 March 2022, eleven political parties were banned for having ties with Russia. Another political party ‘Dershava’, founded in 1999, was banned on June 14 of last year. Dimitri Vasiletz is its chairman and he was jailed for two years without any reason. What is interesting about Dershava is the fact that it has a peace plan that has the approval of 5,548,285 Ukrainians.
In brief, the plan anticipates two stages. In the first stage, a cease fire is imposed, withdrawal of mercenaries of NATO countries and other proxy troops from the territories of Kherson, Zaporoshe and Donetsk regions, opening of the borders and eliminating all restrictions on the movement of people.
The second stage anticipates a transitional period of three years to allow the return to civilian life and to eliminate the consequences of hostilities. During that transitional period a neutral status is introduced in those regions that have not yet held a referendum on self-determination. All restrictions, sanctions and prohibitions against individuals or legal entities will be cancelled. Amnesty for all political prisoners, abolition of discriminatory norms against Russian-speaking citizens, the formation of an interim government under the guarantees of the US, the EU and Russia, creation of an international group of prosecutors to investigate war crimes, and finally holding referenda on self-determination in all regions of Ukraine that had not yet had such referenda, are included in the plan.
What we have here is a Ukrainian peace proposal that has the support of at least 5 million Ukrainian citizens, and nothing about it has been mentioned in the West. And it is the first such proposal which is also an indication that the Ukrainians are feeling war fatigue, which is the result of the suffering that prolonged hostilities create. Elements of these proposals could be taken into consideration and included in other proposals that are being secretly discussed and floated by international players. But it is indispensable for the benefit of humanity that this conflict stops.
And the more the West continues to supply Ukraine with military and financial assistance, the possibilities for discussing peace would be of no interest to the regime in Kiev. Corruption would also be financed, as we have seen.
As far as Greece is concerned, this protracted war is becoming expensive, and the funds sent there could be better used for developing the country rather than being wasted in Kiev. The same applies to the heavy weapons that Athens has sent to Ukraine, which have been taken from the Aegean islands, thus weakening their defence.
In conclusion, the decision for peace lies in the hands of Europe and in order to achieve it, it must convince the USA. But if Washington refuses to listen, then relations must be minimised, and Europe must then follow an independent path, leading to peace on the Continent. This would also include consultations with Russia and China, the latter having already submitted proposals.
