Michael Lodge, NCPM: The question has been asked if there can be peace talks established between Ukraine and Russia?  I believe there can be but it has to be independent and the US must remain on the sidelines.  The US is on the verge of escalating the war of Ukraine - Russia, to involve the United States in a possible nuclear war.  Senator Lindsey Graham has led the fight for war in Ukraine with Russia.  US leaders have acted recklessly.  

At the moment, both Russian and Ukraine do not have anything to offer each other.  Especially since western nations have sent so much money and military support to keep a war going.  The United States seems to be hoping for war to destroy Putin, and that is a dangerous strategy to take.  It may not just involve Russia, but could also involve China as an ally of Russia. 

ENGAGEMENT:  We need a starting point and strategically prepare for talks and envision a structure for negotiations.  That means we need to begin engagement with both sides. The US has done nothing to encourage engagement, so we must now use an outside source that is independent from the war, a neutral party to begin the engagement.  A neutral head of state.  This means broadening a peace process beyond Russia-Ukraine negotiations to include a separate negotiation involving neutral parties.  We need to find out and address what needs to be put on the table from both Ukraine-Russia. In order for the peace process to be engaged it needs neutral mediators to engage.  If you are a neutral head of state, stand up and take on this role and put together a good team.

Keep the status of Ukrainian territories seized by Russia undetermined pending the completion of negotiations.  The US has done too much damage and can no longer be trusted in the peace process. (US Institute on Peace)

The US has created a threat of nuclear war and have threatened both Russia and China.  However, if there is an agreement for negotiations the US must remain silent and remain on the sidelines.

CONCESSIONS:  As in any war, the lengthening of the conflict, the losses on each side and the political entrenchment of belligerents’ demands can make it more difficult, or even politically dangerous, for leaders to make concessions. The better chance of winning concessions will come from a broad process that can address the many issues in dispute, including many that risk hardening in place a new Cold War. These will include nuclear arms control, cyber warfare. 

The US, on their own, must address Russia’s role in distant conflict zones, and mutual accusations by Russia and the West that each is interfering in the other’s political systems. (US Institute on Peace)

UKRAINE:  While Ukraine’s territorial integrity and status seem like the biggest obstacles to a peace deal, issues such as the investigation of war crimes, accountability for rebuilding Ukraine and Russia’s future role in the region may prove more difficult.  The first objective is to bring about engagement and the forward discussions on peace.

RUSSIA AND THE EU:  The EU must engage with Russia quickly.  

​Critically, the European Union and Russia will have to reset their relationship, which collapsed after Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea. Europe’s sanctions on Russia and divestment from dependency on Russian oil and gas pose long-term costs for both sides. Enticing Putin to offer concessions to Ukraine might be achieved by creating a broader zone for negotiating his complaints against Europe, the United States and NATO. The key to all three negotiations is to ensure that they include regional neighbors and that all sides see a chance to make political and economic gains at different tables while also creating disincentives for prolonging the war. The question is not whether to talk to the Russians or not, it’s what to talk to them about — and when. (US Institute on Peace)

MEDIATION:  Thus, to bring peace between Ukraine and Russia, we have to engage aggressively with independent parties to lead the peace process.  Bring in a team of independent mediators and build a peace transition team.  Remember, a mediator never manipulates parties to a specific outcome, but, instead, manipulates reactive parties towards a peaceful and fruitful conversation, that can lead to peace.  Mediation is an opportunity for each side to present their case, and to get disputing parties to get back to the negotiation table again.

UNITED NATIONS:  The United Nations has done nothing to keep peace between nations.  The primary, the fundamental, the essential purpose of the United Nations is to keep peace. Everything it does which helps prevent World War III is good. Everything which does not further that goal, either directly or indirectly, is at best superfluous (HCL).  Thus, in this case the United Nations, with Russia on the Security Council and a veto vote, is not the place to put our trust on peace talks.

​America should never have been involved in the war between two nations.  We have been warned about these types of disputes by former statesman.  "The United States is the world's best hope, but if you fetter her in the interests and quarrels of other nations, if you tangle her in the intrigues of Europe, you will destroy her power for good and endanger her very existence - Henry Cabot Lodge".

Let's talk peace.