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Ukraine and NATO need a Russia deal now, not later
[AsiaTimes] If Ukraine opened negotiations now it would retain most important cities and a viable army but Zelensky is stuck in a trap of his own making.By Stephen Bryen A longer war means the obliteration of more of the industrial backbone of the country: Rescuers working to put down a fire after an attack on Odesa seaport in southern Ukraine, September 26, 2023. Should the Ukraine war stretch much farther into the future, the dynamics of any settlement – if there is a settlement – will be much different than if a settlement were reached tomorrow. Ukraine will soon be faced with a choice: whether to go on fighting, trying to prolong the war – or to make a deal while it can. If Ukraine opened diplomatic discussions with Russia today it would still retain full control of its five most important cities: Kharkiv, Kiev, Dnipro, Odesa and L’viv. Its army would still remain viable. Ukraine, in a settlement, could produce significant agricultural output and exports, raising revenue for the country (assuming Russian cooperation). Much of the self-exiled population might decide to return. That would depend on how much of Ukraine’s infrastructure remained after a settlement. Read the rest at the link Posted by: badanov 2023-10-08 |
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