Invited to the World Economic Forum in Davos by Klaus Schwab, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger pleaded for a return to negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on May 24 in a speech by videoconference, considering that the Ukraine had to consider territorial concessions to Russia, rather than wanting to reconquer Crimea and Donbass, reports Yahoo Finance.
“Negotiations must begin within the next two months before this creates upheavals and tensions that will not be easily overcome,” he warned. The 98-year-old politician argued that Ukraine should make territorial concessions, ending its plans to take over Crimea (attached to Russia in 2014 after a referendum, denounced as illegal by kyiv and the West) or the self-proclaimed people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (recognized by Moscow).
“Ideally, the dividing line should be a return to the status quo ante. Continuing the war beyond this point would not be about Ukraine’s freedom, but a new war against Russia itself,” he said.
He also urged the West to remember Russia’s importance to the European continent and not be swayed “by the mood of the moment”, predicting that insisting on inflicting a defeat on Russia will only consequence of pushing the Russians into the arms of China and India:
“Ukraine should have been a bridge between Europe and Russia, but now, as relations are reshaped, we can enter a space where the dividing line is redrawn and Russia is completely isolated. We now face a situation where Russia could completely cut itself off from Europe and seek a permanent alliance elsewhere. This can lead to Cold War-like diplomatic distances that will set us back decades. We must strive for long-term peace. »
The “Sages” call for peace negotiations in Ukraine
The following day, former officials and world leaders grouped as the “Sages”, a group founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, made a similar statement, reports Mediapart.
“Ending the human suffering caused by this war through diplomacy must be the top priority of the international community. Ideally, the dividing line should be a return to the status quo,” they said, worrying in particular about the repercussions of this war on world peace and food prices, such as the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
Among the “Sages” are the former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon or the former Irish Presidents Mary Robinson and Chilean Ricardo Lagos. Former US President Jimmy Carter is an honorary member.