Espreso. Global
OPINION

US takes diplomatic stance: distancing from Ukraine to mediate talks with Russia

13 January, 2024 Saturday
16:42

Why do Ukraine's Western partners 'filter' aid, still withholding certain types of needed weapons?

client/title.list_title

It is usually said that this is out of fear of the potential disintegration of Russia. 

Consequently, the idea is for Ukraine to 'not win too much.' But I believe this is only part of the story.

 I would hypothetically decode this logic roughly as follows.

  1. All wars end at the negotiating table. This is an axiom. Therefore, this war will come to an end through negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. (The scenario in which Russia disintegrates so rapidly that there is simply no one left to sit at the negotiating table is not considered or dismissed as catastrophic).
  2. The negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, like most negotiations of this kind, will require a mediator - a 'third party.' For the United States and/or leading EU countries to serve as this 'third party,' they must at least in some way distance themselves from Ukraine.
  3. But if you give Ukraine absolutely everything it asks for, such distancing will be impossible. In that case, Ukraine and Western countries will be perceived by Russia as one party without any nuances or distinctions.
  4. So, in this scenario, someone else (China? Turkey?) will eventually become the 'third party' in the anticipated negotiations. However, it will be less strategically advantageous for the US and the EU compared to if they played that role.

I am not evaluating this logic in any way, I'm just trying to decode it. 

About author: Oleksiy Panych, philosopher, member of the Ukrainian PEN Center, blogger.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by blog authors.



 
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Thursday
14 November
21:05
North Korean long-range 170 mm M1989 Koksan howitzer
What Ukraine needs to fight against North Korea's 170mm M-1989 Koksan howitzers received by Russian army
20:22
Exclusive
Ukrainian lawmakers consistently skip sessions, new study has shown
19:55
European Commission agrees to allocate EUR 4.1 billion to Ukraine
19:30
Exclusive
Defense Express explains why Russian army took 28 T-55 tanks from Mosfilm movie studio
19:05
Ukrainian MoD buys hundreds of robotic systems worth UAH 300 million this year
18:42
88 clashes occur at front on Nov. 14: Kurakhove sector sees most Russian attacks - Ukraine's General Staff
18:14
Draft law on demobilization to be finalized by December 18 - Ukrainian lawmaker
17:50
Medics deployed from military hospitals to combat positions in infantry - MP Honcharenko
17:32
Moscow turns to North Korea for artillery reinforcements as war effort intensifies
17:15
Putin orders creation of 50-meter monument to ‘liberators’ of Mariupol
16:58
Ukraine launches 'Tryzub' platform to simulate cyberattacks, train global security forces
16:39
Slovakia may follow Germany in holding snap elections
16:15
Russia's Lavrov complains 'friendly' countries refuse plane refueling due to sanctions
15:55
OPINION
What is Russia, represented by Shoigu, seeking in China?
15:33
Russia faces corporate bankruptcies as Central Bank rate soars
15:17
Poland deploys tanks near Russian border
15:08
Updated
Russian army shoots civilian in Ukraine's Donetsk region: Ukraine appeals to Red Cross, UN
14:58
OPINION
Why negotiating with Putin is impossible
14:40
Re-elected Trump may open door to U.S.-Russia talks, Russian envoy says
14:19
Trump's pick for UN ambassador Stefanik backtracks on support for Ukraine's NATO membership
13:38
Trump's victory sparks South Korea to rethink arms supply to Ukraine
13:16
Review
Romania's presidential election heats up: Battle for second place could decide everything
12:58
Ukrainian military denies Russian occupation of Illinka, Donetsk region
12:43
Russia’s Su-57 fighter struggles to find buyers despite years of marketing
12:08
Ukraine repels Russia’s bid to breakthrough in northeast
11:39
Exclusive
Ukrainian official explains why Russia bridged northeastern Ukraine's Kupyansk
11:21
Exclusive
Russia convicts innocent Ukrainians and pushes propaganda in occupied territories
11:00
Russian troops partially enter Ukraine’s Kupyansk — DeepState
10:28
Exclusive
Russia will collapse without nuclear threats or escalation – politician Rybachuk
09:56
Biden and Xi to discuss Ukraine in upcoming Peru meeting
09:36
Russia loses 1,690 soldiers, 19 tanks, and 65 artillery systems in one day of war in Ukraine
2024, Wednesday
13 November
21:30
Exclusive
Kurakhove could become “meat grinder” draining Russian resources - military analyst
21:11
Exclusive
Russian forces test Ukraine’s air defense during combined attacks – Defense Express
20:56
Trump expected to appoint Ukrainian peace envoy soon - media
20:35
Russians dressed in Ukrainian uniforms attempt to break through defense in Kupyansk sector
20:11
Exclusive
Part of Ukraine's environment cannot be restored after war - ecologist
19:50
Exclusive
Strong Ukraine is important for Poland, regardless of U.S. elections - Polish MP
19:29
Exclusive
Analyst: Putin’s refusal to negotiate with Trump could be beneficial for Ukraine
19:07
Are there direct threats to Ukraine's city of Zaporizhzhia?
18:43
Exclusive
Ukrainian journalist warns of consequences as Russia expands influence in post-Soviet space
More news