Peace talks: learning from past mistakes

They say that Trump has come, he promised - now one way or another, the war will finally end, and everything is heading that way. How much longer can this go on? Plans have already been devised. Just a little more, only so much of winter left until January 20. The front line will freeze, missiles and drones will halt mid-flight, soldiers will demobilize and return home, and we’ll live in peace like before, even if without any solid guarantees.

What can I say? Of course, I understand that exhaustion is overwhelming (though it’s incomparable between civilians in the rear and soldiers at the front). That people desperately want to hope for the best. That, ultimately, it's a time of St. Nicholas, Advent, Christmas, New Year - people long to believe in miracles. But.

"Remember - we’ve been through this after February 2022, and not just once. "A couple of weeks." The long-awaited victorious counteroffensive that will settle everything. A concert by Antytila in Yalta and coffee in Crimea. "Happy 2023 (2024) - the Year of Victory." "We believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine." So, when already?"

After failures came deep disappointments, psychological slumps, and emotional exhaustion. A few weeks after the New Year holidays, as those famous British scientists have long established, sadness and gloom reach their annual peak - even in peacetime, let alone during a war (and this applies primarily to civilians).

So, let’s not make the same mistakes - we’re adults. Stop getting carried away. Stop stirring up others and the audience - this applies to politicians and especially journalists. Otherwise, later it’ll be, “They duped us again.”

Negotiations, freezes, Kellogg-Briand-style plans - all of that is secondary. The main focus and efforts lie elsewhere. In fact, they’ve remained unchanged since 02/24/22.

Relying on a single scenario, or banking solely on a positive outcome that someone else will secure for us, is not okay.

Even expecting that this harsh winter will lead to a resolution - whether acceptable or terrible - is also misguided. The scenario where things continue roughly the same, with gradual complications, is highly plausible.

After all, think back to a year ago and how you envisioned the world a year ahead.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Defense Forces - these are our main negotiators. They are the ones shaping our future. Only through them will our enemies be defeated. Only because of them does the Ukrainian state still exist and will continue to exist. But that’s only if you support them not with empty faith, but with action.

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About the author. Dmytro Lykhoviy, Ukrainian journalist, public figure, poet, serviceman, Russo-Ukrainian war veteran.

The editors don't always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.