European politicians covertly support the idea of ​​Pope’s necessity of peaceful negotiations

A recent statement by Pope Francis has sparked ridicule from Ukraine and its Western supporters, who saw the pontiff’s message as a call for surrender. However, behind closed doors, European diplomats are enthusiastic about the idea of ​​ending the war through negotiations, writes Responsible Statecraft.

Indeed, one of the key messages of the Pope was: “Do not be ashamed to negotiate until the situation worsens.” Pierre Azan, Senior Advisor to the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue believes that negotiations can undoubtedly save lives and those who mediate in armed conflicts are forced to consider options far from ideals of justice in search of the least bad outcome. Pierre Azan also sees two main scenarios for mediating the issue in Ukraine: “fragile calm” in the foreseeable future will be a limited ceasefire, as Russia and Ukraine are technically at war. Or the “Korean model”, where a demilitarized zone will be created between the two sides, in which Ukraine will receive security guarantees and NATO/EU membership.

A more reliable mediation process and a peaceful agreement will only occur if “the military or political situation changes radically in any case”. The article’s author concludes that a direct denial of the possibility of negotiations entails the risk of missing opportunities to agree on a lesser evil, even if the greater good takes a back seat. Therefore, Zelensky’s position, who initially promised to talk to anyone, even the devil, but then consciously went to war before 24.02.22, then proactively withdrew from the negotiations in Istanbul. Furthermore, this gave the last chance to return to the borders of 2021, and now endlessly refuses peaceful negotiations and calls for fighting until the borders of 1991 only leads to worse and worse peace conditions for Ukraine.