Perpetual Peace Plan for the Russia-Ukraine War
FEATURED RESEARCH PAPER, 4 Nov 2024
Dr. Bishnu Pathak, et al. – TRANSCEND Media Service
Abstract
31 Oct 2024 – In approximately three years, the Russia-Ukraine war has escalated to become the most destructive and contentious conflict since World War II. Initially perceived as a war between Russia and Ukraine, the active involvement of the USA in providing financial aid, strategic defense guidance, and military supplies has transformed the narrative to a war between Russia and the USA. Meanwhile, Europe is grappling with the challenge of accommodating over 6 million Ukrainian refugees, facing insecurity, an economic recession, and a rise in xenophobic and narrow-minded attitudes towards foreign residents. In contrast, the USA has bolstered its economy through the sale of weapons and war supplies. If this war is prolonged, not only Europe, but the entire world will be affected. Therefore, the conscious citizens of the world are pressuring both conflicting alliances to initiate informal and formal, indirect and direct dialogue or a roundtable conference. As a result, 21 prominent peacemakers from ten countries have recently proposed a 12-point perpetual peace plan to end the war forever. The specific objective of this paper is to envision transforming the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war into a state of perpetual peace. The study primarily relies on the snow-ball technique analyzing primary, secondary, and tertiary sources and archival literature reviews to draw lessons from the past (yesterday), understand the axiomatic truth of the present (today), and foster hope by sharing the epistemology of Russia-Ukraine war and peace philosophy for the future (tomorrow). The art-of-the-innovative paper is based on coauthors’ personal experiences, enthusiasm, and participant observation accumulated over decades, rather than solely relying on theoretical conceptions. Perpetual peace is a universal concept that transcends all boundaries by peaceful means. It is greater than any nation, caste, creed, religion, color, opinion, class, gender, profession, culture, geography, or social order and structure. The pursuit of perpetual peace is achieved through roundtable dialogues or conferences.
Introduction
The Russia-Ukraine war has been ongoing for nearly three years now, starting on February 24, 2022, with no end in sight. It is the largest European conflict since World War II. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties and has had a devastating impact on both countries. It is a complex and multifaceted war with political, territorial, economic, legal, and social implications. Hundreds of thousands of people have died (Sauer, October 22, 2024 & Gadzo, October 16, 2024), and there is a huge refugee crisis with over 6.7 million Ukrainians spread throughout Europe (Operational Data Portal, October 15, 2024). This is the first time such a large number of refugees has occurred since World War II as a result of the war.
The military operation to demilitarize Ukraine led to international condemnation and sanctions. Russia later abandoned an attempt to take Kyiv, and Ukrainian forces reclaimed territories. Since then, Russian offensives and counteroffensives have resulted in limited territorial gains and indiscriminate attacks on Ukrainian and Ukrainian-backed forces (Goodman, April 10, 2022 & UNHR, March 25, 2022).
With the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, if Ukraine can survive even for 24 hours against Russia, Ukraine will be praised all over the world. However, the war is still ongoing. In the early days, Russia and Ukraine were close rivals. The war took a U-turn when Ukraine sought international help to fight against Russia. When the USA delivered the first trainload of military aid to Ukraine on February 27, three days after the war started, this war became known as the Russia-USA war. The war has left Europe in dire straits due to rising refugees, insecurity, high prices, and fuel shortages. In contrast, the US has managed to bolster its economy by selling the most war supplies since World War II. Furthermore, this war is contributing to political upheaval and, in many cases, recession in Europe (European Investment Bank, 2022).
It has been discovered that Ukraine was preparing for war against Russia before February 24, 2022. A team of Czech-British instructors trained 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers at the Vyšpoint Military Academy, with a focus on non-commissioned officers (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_aid_to_Ukraine_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War). Since January 2022, Western governments have pledged over $380 billion in aid to Ukraine, including nearly $118 billion in direct military aid from individual countries as of March 2024 (Robinson, Wilson, Pettersson, & Roberts, March 20, 2024. As of January 2024, the EU and its Member States have supported Ukraine with almost €88 billion, including financial, economic, diplomatic, humanitarian, and military aid (Europa-Parliament, February 23, 2024).
Since February 24, 2022, Ukraine has been receiving training and equipment from the United States and its allies and partners. The U.S. Department of Defense stated that under the Biden Administration, the United States has provided Ukraine with more than $30.4 billion in security assistance. In total, the U.S. has invested over $32.4 billion since 2014 and over $29.8 billion since the start of Russia’s ruthless and unprovoked invasion on February 24, 2022 (www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Support-for-Ukraine/Timeline/).
Ukrainian military recruitment officers conducted raids on bars, restaurants, and concert halls in Kyiv, detaining individuals who had not committed to military aid. This highlighted the country’s urgent need for recruits aged 25–60 who are eligible for conscription. Those aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave the country (Russia-Ukraine War, October 13, 2024).
The international community has been largely divided, both formally and informally on the course of the Russia-Ukraine war. Additionally, those within the international community who have maintained a neutral stance on the conflict have been closely monitoring the situation. However, finding a peaceful solution has proven to be challenging (The London School of Economics and Political Science, 2024). Both sides have engaged in military actions, leading to human rights violations, a humanitarian crisis, a breakdown of diplomatic relations, with many civilians experiencing enforced disappearances and displacement, in desperate need of assistance (Press.un.org, September 10, 2024).
The goal of the plan is to achieve a perpetual, sustainable, and justifiable peace agreement, known as the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA), benefiting both countries and promoting stability in Europe and the world. The ongoing war has caused immense suffering and instability, making it imperative to develop, sign, and implement a comprehensive peace plan. The hope is that a peaceful resolution can be achieved soon to end the casualties and suffering of the people in both countries. On October 6, 2024, 21 peacemakers from 10 countries of Gandhian Global Harmony Association (GGHA) presented a 12-point perpetual peace plan aimed at permanently transforming the Russia-Ukraine war.
The general objective of this paper is to enhance understanding of the Russia-Ukraine war, its connections to the global political system, and the importance of the eternal peace process itself. By internalizing the lessons learned from real-world experiences, peacemakers worldwide can share their findings with international communities to promote a perpetual peace plan in both countries.
The specific objectives of this ground-breaking paper are as follows: to clarify the Russia-Ukraine situation; analyze the war’s impact on Europe; facilitate discussions on a perpetual peace plan; and share findings with like-minded individuals and institutions.
This study aims to provide descriptive and explanatory insights through archival research, following the principles of universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interrelatedness. Information and literature are gathered through networking tracking methods and discussions with relevant institutions and experts (Pathak, February 2021).
Impact of War Situations
The 12 founding countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also known as the intergovernmental military alliance or collective military system established to defend each other against attacks by third parties in April 1949 (Cook, May 25, 2017). NATO was signed in Washington, also known as the Washington Treaty. Four countries, namely Greece, Turkey, West Germany, and Spain, joined NATO between 1952 and 1982 during the Cold War I (Baldwin, September 28, 1952 & Glass, May 14, 2014). An additional 16 nations, such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Croatia, Finland, and Sweden, joined during the Cold War II. The Cold War I was between the USA and the USSR, while the Cold War II has seen a US-led alliance against a China-led alliance (Pathak, 2022).
The Washington Treaty is being deployed in the Indo-Pacific region to encircle China and keep an eye on India. In line with the grand design and long-term strategic plan of the USA, the Washington Treaty aims to geographically secede Tibet and provoke issues of identity among Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang autonomous region. The Washington Treaty is closely monitoring India to ensure it does not oppose the Washington Treaty’s proliferation and its control objectives in the Asia-Pacific region. The participation of South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand in the Washington Treaty’s October 2024 meeting, with their heads of state and other officials joining for the first time, is a key example of the Washington Treaty’s Indo-Pacific expansionism (Oberg, October 21, 2024).
After nearly eight years of simmering conflict between Russia and Ukraine (Kofman, et al., 2017 & Rainsford, September 6, 2023), Russia’s reinvasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2024 has divided world politics into three main factions. One small faction supports Russia’s incursion, while a larger section consisting of NATO countries is providing Ukraine with military weapons and supplies, as well as moral, and political support. Major players in international affairs, such as China and India have remained neutral and non-aligned. Western interpretations of the conflict as a struggle between right and might have been largely rejected by Asian countries (Pradhan, October 18, 2024).
Many young people have fled their country before turning eighteen due to fear of getting involved in the Russian-Ukrainian war, which has lasted for roughly three years (UNICEF, March 30, 2022). Choosing to leave one’s own country or actually going abroad means leaving behind friends, family, neighborhoods, and place of birth. It also entails adjusting to a new environment while dealing with regrets. These challenges can all be quite difficult (see Box I).
BOX I – Fleeing Ukrainian Youths
“I didn’t want to fight in the war,” said 18-year-old Alexander Maison, who recently left Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. “It’s getting scary.” Within two weeks of turning 18 last summer, he left his home and went to neighboring Slovakia. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, the number of young people fleeing the country has been increasing, posing a growing problem. Although the mandatory conscription age is 25, youths over 18 are not allowed to leave the country.
“Alexander said he began considering leaving the country after conversations with his friends. They discussed the possibility of being called up to serve in the army, the necessity of deployment, and the uncertain future in a country at war. Many of his friends shared the same sentiments. While they condemned the Russian invasion, they do not want to be directly involved in the war, and the idea of going to war weighs heavily on them.
“I have only one friend who will join the army,” he said. “The rest don’t want to fight.” In Slovakia, Alexander has enrolled in university and is studying the language there. He has yet to make friends or find a social group in Slovakia, but he has no plans to return to Ukraine until the war comes to an end.”
Adapted from https://www.bbc.com/nepali/articles/c4g5rkdyjnwo
Everyone is scared, whether they admit it or not. Those who choose to stay in Ukraine are confronted with the fear of being conscripted. This fear is pervasive, because it involves life and death. According to the Population Agency of Ukraine, the number of individuals leaving Ukraine this year and not returning is three times higher than in all of 2023.
UNHCR uses the term “refugees” to refer to all individuals who have left Ukraine due to the ongoing war. As of October 15, 2024, slightly over 6.7 million non-EU citizens who fled Ukraine as a result of Russia’s assault against Ukraine have been granted refugee status, temporary protection, temporary asylum status, and similar national protection schemes in the EU. A total of 6,191,800 Ukrainian refugees are spread across Europe alone. By the end of July 2024, the EU nations housing the largest number of beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine were Germany (1,212,835 people), Poland (976,205) and Czechia (369,610) of the EU total (The Sofia Globe Staff, September 10, 2024 & Operational Data Portal, October 15, 2024). However, by the end of December 2023, the highest number of Ukrainian refugees, totaling 1,227,555, were sheltered in the Russian Federation alone (United Nations in Ukraine, April 15, 2024).
With almost a third of Ukrainians forced to evacuate their homes, the war has resulted in the worst crisis of population displacement since World War II. The UN further stated that an additional 571,000 Ukrainians have been exiled outside of Europe, while 3.7 million people remain internally displaced within Ukraine’s borders. The war has claimed the lives of 11,662 civilians between February 24, 2022 and August 15, 2024. Among the victims are 639 children. Additionally, 24,207 civilians have been injured, including 1,577 children (Regional Information Center for Western Europe, September 11, 2024). The United Nations states, “The war has destroyed the Ukrainian economy, reversing years of progress toward development and pushing close to 25 percent of the population into poverty” (United Nations in Ukraine, April 15, 2024).
However, Mary Glantz stated, “By the end of 2023, estimates for Russian personnel killed ranged between 66,000 and 120,000. When you add in the number of wounded that total reaches an astounding 315,000” (March 11, 2024). Furthermore, Russia has suffered massive equipment losses, including the catastrophic depletion of its Black Sea fleet, which saw 20 vessels sunk. Over all, Russia has lost about 8,800 armored vehicles since invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Despite these alarming statistics, analysts believe that Russia still has enough resources to continue fighting the war for the next two to three years, if not longer (Glantz, March 11, 2024).
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has increased pressure on critical commodities, such as food and energy. This is a result of reduced output from both countries and sanctions imposed on Russia. Consequently, costs have escalated, leading to inflation rates that far exceed wage growth (Kilfoyle, October 24, 2023 & Rub, April 4, 2024)
Ukraine, once one of the poorest Soviet republics, experienced a significant economic recession of up to 35 percent in GDP in the first year of conflict. This led to a 7.1 million increase in poverty. Ukraine, once a major exporter of crops, now ranks among the world’s most food-insecure countries, with one in three households affected, according to the UN World Food Program (Kilfoyle, October 24, 2023 & Welsh, February 27, 2024).
War impacts food production, imports, and exports in all nations. Food banks play a crucial role in combating food poverty by providing access to essential nutrients. The food crisis exacerbates the situation for asylum seekers refugees in neighboring countries. The right to food is paramount for all individuals to attain dignity.
Food crises typically arise from poverty, natural disasters, and conflict, affecting millions worldwide. It is a critical issue where individuals lack access to an adequate supply of nutritious food. To address food scarcity in Ukraine and Russia, it is essential for governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals to collaborate on accepting and implementing a perpetual peace plan. Increasing food production, utilizing unused agricultural land, improving food distribution systems, and reducing food waste can help alleviate the impacts of food scarcity. This way, everyone can have enough to eat. The right to food is the supreme right for all.
Situation Analysis
In order to effectively assess the current situation, it is crucial to conduct a thorough analysis of all relevant information regarding the war. This includes examining internal and external influences that may impact the existing conflict situation between Russia and Ukraine (USA). Conducting a comprehensive situation analysis is essential in developing effective strategies for a perpetual peace plan.
In Ukraine, there was a significant presence of nationalistic sentiment. The country demonstrated steadfast resolve in its struggle for the freedom to choose its friendships and alliances. Ukraine sought to counter Russia’s aggression through moral, political, strategic, economic, and military support from Western powers. Even in the midst of the conflict, Ukraine is appealing to the EU and NATO to consider its membership.
However, if Western powers were to grant membership to Ukraine, NATO and the EU would be obligated to deploy their soldiers against Russia based on Article 5 of NATO. Article 5 states, “If a NATO Ally is the victim of an armed attack, each and every other member of the Alliance will consider this act of violence as an armed attack against all members and will take the actions it deems necessary to assist the Ally attacked” (NATO, July 4, 2023).
This poses a significant threat of sparking World War III. That is why they are refraining from providing military aid. Given their extensive commercial ties with Russia, they fear potential financial losses. As a result, the decision of the West is to withhold military aid and membership in this scenario. Even though, both Russia and Ukraine are left to navigate numerous challenges following the conclusion of the war.
The defeat of one side is inevitable in this war. Compared to Russia, Ukraine is weaker in terms of population, geography, war supplies, military power, strategic defense, and resources. However, Ukrainian citizens are fighting an emotional war to protect their national sovereignty and integrity with high morale and a strong sense of national existence.
It is more likely that Ukraine will suffer a major loss in this war than Russia. If defeated, the existence of President Volodymyr Zelensky and his family, as well as his role as a comedian, will also be at stake. Even if Russia wins this war, it will still incur significant losses. Despite the war ending, Russia will face sanctions from Western countries and the continuation of Cold War II. This will result in huge economic losses and a recession for Russia.
All over the world, especially in Europe, this war has not only made food and goods more expensive, but fuel, gas, and cooking oil have also become scarce or increased in price. The Russia-Ukraine war has had a strong impact on political parties. The war crisis has created an opportunity for conservative political ideologies to flourish, while diminishing the influence of liberal politics even in Europe. The strong and influential hold of conservative politics in Europe will have a harsh impact on foreigners residing in their countries, including students and workers. Even if Russia emerges victorious in this war, it will ultimately suffer defeat due to huge casualties.
Whoever wins or loses, everyone needs to strive for perpetual peace through both informal and formal, as well as indirect and direct dialogue (Pathak & Bastola, 2022). Perpetual peace is achieved by reaching an agreement that must be effectively enforced. The ultimate aim of armed conflict or war is to achieve perpetual peace through resolution via negotiation.
Perpetual peace is a universal concept that transcends national, caste, class, profession, religious, and political boundaries. It can only be attained through dialogue and reaching a resolution. This means that perpetual peace is greater than any nation, caste, creed, religion, color, opinion, class, gender, profession, culture, geography, or social structure. It would be even more beneficial if justice is included in the pursuit of peace, leading to judicial peace that can only be achieved through roundtable dialogues or conferences.
Disagreement, lawlessness, injustice, ignorance, conflict, and war can only be resolved through dialogue for stable peace. Dialogue is the key to resolving all problems, contradictions, and differences. In the case of the Russia-Ukraine war, the path to stable and perpetual peace lies in conducting roundtable conferences or dialogues, where facilitation and mediation by national and international delegations are inevitable.
Perpetual Peace Plan to Russia-Ukraine
The Gandhian Global Harmony Association (GGHA) and the world peacemakers’ solidarity plan for achieving perpetual peace in the Russia-Ukraine war was submitted at the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 22-24, 2024. The 12-point plan for perpetual peace resolution was approved by the 21 peacemakers from 10 countries on October 6, 2024. The coauthors include Bishnu Pathak, Chaitanya Dave, Helga Zepp-LaRouche, Igor I. Kondrashin, Julia Budnikova, Kurt Johnston, Leo Semashko, Li Ruohong, Mairead Corrigan, Markandey Rai, Matt Meyer, Noam Chomsky, René Wadlow, Rodney Atkinson, Roger Kotila, Rosa Dalmiglio, Rudolf Siebert, Surendra Pathak, Takis Ioannidis, Théa Marie Robert, and Vera Popovich. These 21 peacemakers, representing public diplomacy, hail from Britain, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Nepal, Russia, and the USA. For more information, please visit peacefromharmony.org/?cat=en_c&key=1219.
The 12-point bilateral and multilateral negotiation suggestions between Russia and Ukraine, within the frameworks of BRICS and G20, have led to a consensus on the following positions for achieving perpetual peace.
- The shared historical connection of perpetual peace between Russia and Ukraine, unites them as one multinational and multi-confessional family of peoples. They aim for harmony as good-neighbors, as sovereign and democratic states that guarantee all human rights on a federalist basis.
- Russia and Ukraine both recognize the canonical Orthodoxy established by the Jerusalem Synod of 1672 as a shared spiritual foundation. This is exemplified by the united Orthodox Church and its golden rule of peacemaking, which acts as the highest moral imperative in the relationship between the two nations. Only the enemies of the people of Russia and Ukraine are trying to dismantle this common spiritual platform of canonical Orthodoxy. Their aim is to condemn these people to perpetual mutual destruction and un-ending genocide.
- On a shared spiritual and moral platform, Russia and Ukraine are collaborating to cultivate a renewed culture of peace and peace science with the help of safe AI. They are working together to establish collaborative and innovative institutions, including:
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- A Department of Peace and Harmony within the Foreign Ministry of each country,
- An Academy of Peace Science within the Academies of each country,
- A Center for Safe AI and Digital Economy within the Ministry of Economy of each country.
These innovative institutions (DAC) are being acknowledged as essential tools for effectively achieving perpetual peace for Russia and Ukraine.
- Russia and Ukraine both recognize the neutral status of Ukraine outside of the NATO “nuclear alliance” and other military alliances that threaten Russia’s security. Similarly, they acknowledge the neutral status of Russia outside of any military alliances that pose a threat to Ukraine.
- On a shared spiritual platform and utilizing innovative tools from the DAC, Russia and Ukraine are guided by the international principle of equal and indivisible security. They are committed to excluding any changes that benefit some countries at the expense of others, ensuring the complete demilitarization of Ukraine. They also envision the eventual demilitarization of Russia, as part of the global demilitarization process conducted by the UN based on the approved “Peace Constitution of the Earth”.
- On a shared spiritual platform and utilizing innovative tools from the DAC, Russia and Ukraine are working together to achieve the complete denazification of Ukraine. This includes implementing a constitutional prohibition of Russophobia, Nazism, and any forms of racism, following the example set by Russia where such ideologies have long been prohibited by the Constitution. These principles are also upheld in the organization of culture, media, and the entire education system starting from kindergarten.
- On a shared spiritual platform and utilizing the DAC instruments, Russia and Ukraine pledge to ensure the complete elimination of any irreconcilable conflicts for future generations. Instead of ongoing war and bloodshed, they aim to establish perpetual peace and harmony.
- On a shared spiritual platform and utilizing the instruments of the DAC, Russia and Ukraine acknowledge the historical, Orthodox and moral justice of Russian jurisdiction over the territories of Crimea, Donetsk and Lugansk republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhe regions within their established borders as integral subjects of the Russian Federation.
- On a shared spiritual platform and utilizing the DAC instruments, Russia and Ukraine recognize the perpetual need for an equal international condominium in the joint use of the resources of these territories for corporate, academic, and cultural cooperation on the subjects listed by the Russian Federation.
- On a shared spiritual platform and utilizing the DAC instruments, Russia and Ukraine are jointly developing a long-term “Marshall Plan” as a program for the accelerated restoration of Ukraine’s infrastructure and economy (the Ukraine Recovery Program). This program will involve participation from the BRICS countries and will be open to the accession of other countries, including the EU and USA.
The goal of this initiative is to restore and develop a culture of peace in Ukraine, including peace education, peace museums, peace art, interfaith harmony, and social diversity. Under the auspices of UNESCO, there will be broad involvement of relevant international institutions in Ukraine, rather than neo-Nazi entities, for the cultural denazification as a special part of the “Marshal Plan”.
- On a shared spiritual platform and utilizing the DAC instruments, Russia and Ukraine recognize the need for an eternal, egalitarian and inclusive society for the people of both sovereign democratic states. They see themselves as one family with common institutions of people’s diplomacy, forming a single civil union of their people. This unity serves as a guarantee of perpetual peace and the inviolability of their friendship in the future.
- After the parties agree on the previous 11-point by the end of 2024 and ratify them in their respective parliaments, Russia and Ukraine will declare the cessation of all military actions on the contact line and arms deliveries to it staring in 2025. This marks the beginning of the implementation of the approved plan for the Perpetual Peace for Russia and Ukraine (PPRU).
This perpetual peace plan has been updated by peacemakers from international peacemaking organizations with whom the GGHA has cooperated for 10 years or more.
The perpetual peace plan is imperative for Russia and Ukraine to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in order to prevent further loss of life, massive destruction, and to promote stability in Europe and the world. By following the proposed peace plan outlined in the document, both countries can take a significant step towards achieving perpetual peace, reintegration, rehabilitation, reconciliation, and reculturation.
The proposed perpetual peace plan calls for Russia and Ukraine to initiate a ceasefire to halt all military actions and prevent further casualties. A ceasefire agreement is the first step to initiate perpetual peace, halting military operations, war supplies, and working towards a peaceful resolution of the war. Similarly, both countries must agree to withdraw their troops from the conflict zone and establish a demilitarized buffer zone to prevent further hostilities.
Both countries must engage in diplomatic negotiations to reach a peace accord that addresses the root causes of the war and establishes a framework for future cooperation and a mutually accepted resolution. Humanitarian aid, such as food, water, shelter, and medical care for those in need, must be provided. Rehabilitation, rebuilding, and reconciliation must be fostered through dialogue between the parties from Russia and Ukraine, promoting economic development and ensuring the protection of human rights. An international monitoring mechanism, headed by the United Nations should be established to ensure compliance with the peace accord for both countries. Such a monitoring body will build trust between the parties and create a foundation for perpetual peace.
Western notions of the Russia-Ukraine war portray it as a struggle between right and might, but these notions have been widely rejected by Asia. In a historic move, Finland and Sweden, two nations that had previously avoided joining NATO, become members of the Washington Treaty on March 7, 2024 (Insight, March 22, 2024) to prevent upsetting Russia. Europe’s transition away from Russian gas has been the most significant development. Even in such an ambiguous dilemma, China signed a new 30-year, US $ 400 billion gas supply deal with Russia and is now Russia’s second-largest buyer of oil, surpassed only by India on May 21, 2014 (USCC.gov, September 6, 2014). India overtook China as the world’s largest importer of Russian oil in July 2024 (Khalilova, August 22, 2024 & Coles, February 2023). The revelation of Russia’s military vulnerability has been one of the war’s greatest surprises. Zelenskyy’s rejection of President Biden’s airlift offer early in the conflict marked a “rebirth movement” for both him and Ukrainian politics. It was unprecedented for Russia to be expelled from the Statute of the Council of Europe in the Committee of Ministers (Council of Europe, February 22, 2022, Reuters, March 10, 2022, & Council of Europe, March 16, 2022).
Conclusion
In 1795, the German philosopher Immanuel Kant published his book, “Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch”. In this work, he discussed democratic peace, commercial peace, and institutional peace. Over the past 300 years, the concept of Perpetual Peace that Kant introduced has continued to gain prominence, even in today’s modern age.
In the modern world, peace and conflict studies as an academic course were started by Johan Galtung in the early sixties. He is recognized as the father of peace and conflict studies worldwide. Galtung distinguished between two types of peace: positive peace and negative peace (Urdal, 1968 & Maley, 1985). Johan Galtung introduced positive and negative peace in the Editorial to the Journal of Peace Research in 1964 (Grewal, August 30, 2003). Before this, Galtung founded the Peace Research Institute in Oslo (PRIO) for policy-relevant peace research in 1959 (www.nonproliferation.eu/thinktanks-2/prio/) when he was just 29 years old. Galtung also pointed out the concept of lasting peace (Galtung, 1996).
Immanuel Kant and Johan Galtung have each presented their own arguments regarding perpetual peace and lasting peace respectively. It is important to understand the distinction between these two concepts. Perpetual peace implies a state of continuous and unending peace, while lasting peace endures over a long period of time, without necessarily being permanent. Perpetual peace is an idealistic and utopian notion of peace, whereas lasting peace acknowledges the possibility of conflict arising at any time in the future.
Given that conflict and peace have their own cycle, Galtung’s concept of lasting peace seems more relevant and timelier for today’s world. Just as there is a cycle of conflict and peace, like an ecosystem, or with peace followed by conflict and vice versa (Pathak, October 21, 2010). However, if we set the goal for long and eternal peace, even if we cannot reach the destination, we can get closer to it. With this in mind, this paper has been prepared to explore the concept of perpetual peace in the context of ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Peace is a state of harmony defined by the absence of armed conflict, violence, inharmony, discord, turmoil, and disturbance. In a peaceful environment, individuals, communities, and societies can coexist harmoniously, embracing each other’s differences, contradictions, and disagreements. Achieving peace necessitates dialogue, negotiation, diplomacy, conflict resolution, conflict management, conflict settlement, mutual understanding, and peaceful conflict transformation.
Peace is essential for fostering cooperation, prosperity, stability, progress, and a thriving society. It is not just the absence of conflict or war, but also involves actively cultivating positive relationships. Peace upholds fundamental human rights and promotes unity among all individuals. It resolves various contradictions and conflicting interests to establish a conducive atmosphere for a peaceful world for future generations.
Perpetual peace is a universal essential characteristic inherent in every human being, free from violation, discrimination, and injustice. It is inalienable, meaning no one can take it away. Peace is indivisible, intended to be inseparable and interrelated, advocating for all individuals to have equal rights and status regardless of color, sex, country of origin, birth, language, profession, religion, geography, and caste-ethnicity. It is necessary to protect the human dignity of all through peaceful means.
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Dr. Bishnu Pathak, a former Senior Commissioner at the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) in Nepal, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize from 2013 to 2019 for his discovery of the Peace-Conflict Lifecycle which he compares to an ecosystem. Dr. Pathak is a Board Member of the TRANSCEND Peace University and holds a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary Conflict Transformation and Human Rights, earned over two decades in 2003. Despite the challenges, Professor Pathak has authored over 100 international books and papers, including “Politics of People’s War and Human Rights in Nepal” (2005), “Generations of Transitional Justice in the World” (2019), “The Nepal Compact: Potential for Cold War II” (2022), “Negotiation by Peaceful Means: Nepo-India Territorial Disputes” (2022), and “The Arts of Eastern Philosophy” (2023). Many of his publications have been used as references in universities in over 100 countries worldwide. Dr. Pathak’s work covers a wide range of topics, including Transitional Justice, Human Rights, Human Security, Peace, and Conflict Transformation.
Mairead Corrigan Maguire, from the United Kingdom, is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment and a peace activist from Northern Ireland. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 alongside Betty Williams for their work as co-founders of Women for Peace. This organization later evolved into the Community for Peace People, dedicated to promoting peaceful resolutions to violence in Northern Ireland.
Dr. Leo Semashko, a Russian Orthodox, philosopher, and sociologist, is the founder of the Gandhian Global Harmony Association (GGHA) established in 2005. He also serves as the Honorary President representing Peace Science, alongside over 700 coauthors, including Indian President Dr. Abdul Kalam and 5 Nobel Peace Laureates, from over 50 countries. Based in St. Petersburg, Russia, Dr. Semashko has been leading this initiative for almost 20 years.
Dr. Surendra Pathak, Vice President of the Gandhian Global Harmony Association, has held various positions such as the Director of Research, Dean of Social Sciences, and Professor at IASE Deemed University in Rajasthan, India. He is currently engaged with several international academic institutions, organizations, and NGOs that focus on peace, harmony, and human values. Some of these include GPF, GCN-UN, WCPA, IAEWP, Deep University, Interfaith Foundation India and others.
Dr. Matt Meyer, a peace philosopher and professor from the USA, currently serves as the Secretary General of the International Peace Research Association (IPRA). He advocates for the principles of peace science and broad peace studies, originally developed by Johan Galtung. Meyer firmly believes that these concepts can aid humanity in comprehending the inevitable decline of militaristic states, with a specific focus on the United States. Additionally, he is a Senior Research Scholar at the University of Massachusetts.
Dr. Susmita Bastola holds a PhD in Peace and Human Rights from Japan and has dedicated her career to exploring the intersections of conflict resolution, social justice, and reconciliation, with a focus on indigenous communities. She is also a co-author of two influential books that contribute to the discourse on peace and philosophy: “Negotiation by Peaceful Means: Nepo-India Territorial Disputes” (2022) and “The Art of Eastern Philosophy” (2023). Her aim is to promote sustainable peace and advocate for marginalized voices in global dialogues.
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Tags: Conflict Mediation, European Union, NATO, Peacebuilding, Pentagon, Proxy War, Russia, USA, Ukraine, Warfare
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11 Responses to “Perpetual Peace Plan for the Russia-Ukraine War”
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The USA has successfully caused economic recession, insecurity, and political turmoil in Europe by enforcing economic, military, strategic, and political cooperation on the side of Ukraine. With compelling support for Ukraine, the USA has made it difficult for Europe, its rival, to assert itself over the past 10 years. Initially perceived as a war between Russia and Ukraine, the active involvement of the USA in providing financial aid, strategic defense guidance, and military supplies to Ukraine has transformed the narrative into a war between Russia and the USA.
The post-WW II era is identified as the rise of democratic liberalism. The Russia-Ukraine war is more likely WW III in terms of the use of resources, NATO’s full cooperation with Ukraine, and the depletion of stockpiled weapons after WW II. Trump’s victory with overwhelming electoral votes as the 47th President of the USA should be seen as the fall of liberalism and the rise of conservatism. This changing dynamic is no less than a cycle from liberalism to conservatism similar to an ecosystem.
The conservative government will win forthcoming elections worldwide, including in Europe. The first target of conservative government is to stop immigrants and adopt a hard policy towards those who have been living in those countries. As a result, the number of young men and women from poorer countries going to developed nations, including Europe and America, for study and work will decrease. This means that in the upcoming decades, there will be a rise in hard-ideologue-nationalism and anti-immigrant sentiment, transforming from open-ended immigration (liberalism) to closed ended liberalism.
However, with Trump’s victory in 2024, the war between Russia and Ukraine is likely to end. Congratulations, President Trump. During Trump’s tenure, Israel, which believes in restoring peace and prosperity in its land by killing and destroying its opponents, will also be left without guardianship. Once the USA’s moral and military-advisory aid is stopped or withdrawn, Israel, typically seeking solutions through military means, will be forced to engage in dialogue. If neutral peacemakers like us are needed to facilitate and mediate the peace talks and its processes, everyone must support, assist, and cooperate in this regard. Congratulations to President Trump on his successful tenure. This perpetual peace plan aims to bring an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and beyond. For more information, please visit https://www.transcend.org/tms/2024/11/perpetual-peace-plan-for-the-russia-ukraine-war/.
Dear peace hearted persons,
Here comes critic, please be open minded and gentle in reaction.
Borders may change over time, preferably on agreement.
They have become more stable in recent times; write large since decolonization started but not only; many cases are peacefully adjudicated.
However, if anyone that had a territory in the past could claim it in the future…
No!
Plus. Internationally recognized borders are part of international law, say?
Nice to see some planetary expansions in the proposal, very good ones, but until that happens and as a long as the Nation-State concept and use stand as they do presently, overall sovereign borders should be a factor of peace, not conflict (much work to do).
So changing borders, moreover by use of force.
No again!
More simply, it won’t work: some States might bow to the move, but most of them (see UN General Assembly votes on the issue) will know that allowing this (border change by force) also threatens their very own security and in so many situations.
Still No!
Dear writers and Transcend friends (if I may say), if your efforts at envisioning and may be at establishing peace are very valuable, always, yes, please search deeper:
1) You do not argue at all, at least in the proposal itself, at persuading that the conquered zones belong to Russia or Russians living there before the conflict.
May be so on purpose as this is contentious, the essence of the conflict in fact, face it.
But as such, for you and by this silence, you do so to the risk of being felt as sided or partial.
Myself, as a peacemaker daring impartiality:
Please No.
2) All sides have various truths needing to be accounted for, and equated.
You do have some proposals towards creating common grounds. Yes. Thanks. Carry on.
These need to fruit. And before you even bring parties (who?) or anyone (you?) at the table for any sort of discussion of any sort of plan.
Yes, evermore yes to peace!
3) Not less important (in my humble opinion): you by-pass a very important lesson brought by Johan Galtung himself, indeed, from the Peru-Ecuador conflict solution: make the conflicted zone a condominium.
Yes, peace can be done!
4) This way or another, peace by peaceful means, humane and lasting solutions!
Yet remember, peace belongs to the people, the ones concerned.
Would they want that? If properly proposed?
Would you change your plan, and walk the talk?
Yes, one can try, and speak up.
5) Last but not least (almost), very shocking (at least to me or whoever – recall my work at the Center for Global Nonkilling), very shocking to consider that the proposal itself has not a single word towards victims; not so easy, I reckon. Compassion is part of solutions. Unpassable.
The best peace processes that worked (however well) in recent times have a truth, reconciliation and nonrecurrence dimension (to use usual language); a people (or people also) oriented peace process.
Yes, we do have some hearted solutions.
6) Worse, you state your peace without any consideration or accounting for the soldiers, prisoners, deserters and conscientious objectors.
All these, but mostly the later are true to their hearts or conscience or whatever, though for the former, soldiers, their means may be false regarding peacemaking (by peaceful means).
Objectors are some high sort of peacemakers, lots of them pioneering peace: our kin, on the ground, resisting armies and militarization, so often facing trial or duress for their truths!
Yes, we have practicians. Mention them, support them!
Life needs peace surrounding it to thrive. And people should all be the actors of peace, with their rights and concerns, freedom and hopes, their possibilities to do so, act for peace; shouldn’t they be our first concern, not last or ignored?
Taken to a similar point, I would be happy to see a similar peace plan or maybe to participate in drawing a similar plan for the Near-East. Like being cohesive!
Hoping you’ll heed some good sense to my word, moreover as the rest of your proposal is mostly grounded and as the intent is excellent. May the means follow suit.
So may the good points come true, and the other ones improve. Thanks.
I do not read TMS very systematically, I’ll keep a watch here in the next weeks.
In peace we bear; may peace prevail.
In writing, I’ve spoken!
Christophe
As of the sounding effort that you’ve did with your contribution, it deserves respecт and gratitude, indeed, I read it superficially and randomly, and I’ll do that more carefully later. What impressed me was that your stance is not always balanced. You fail to at least reveal who is to be blamed for that clearly aggressive war, you even do not mention name of the person, who is the main evil, Hitler of our days. This is very wrong and unfair. Instead, you call Ukrainian President ‘comedian’ – something that is incompatible with an academic text. Moreover. he grew enormously since the day he was elected as a great surprise as a President of Ukraine. And I am saying this not as a sympathizer, but with all my scholarly knowledge and experience.
I should mention some factual errors too. You missed Bulgaria, my country, among those which joined NATO, but this is not that important. To call Ukraine ‘a poor country’ – compared with what? – is an unfounded assessment. Within the USSR, Ukraine was probably the first among the republics by incomes, education level, production rates. There was concentrated most of the high level technological industry, incl. space (missiles) and aircrafts..
As for the Russia itself (RSFSR), you needed to walk few kilometers outside the man urban centers – Moscow, Petersburg (then Leningrad) , Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), and you see an astonishing poverty and backwardness.
Believe me, I am fluent in Russian, I have lived and travelled vastly there.
Something that I can’t buy at all is following the lines of Moscow. quite literally, with loading Ukraine only with the secessions that you recommend for the resolution of the conflict, namely, the territorial gains that Russia itself demands – Crimea, Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhye regions. No, my friends, this is non-Kantian, non-Galtung approach, it is simply unfair!
With all due respect to all contributors, your Perpetual Peace Plan for the Russia-Ukraine War means you’ve decided it is time to stop the war industry killing Russians and Ukrainians and start killing more Israelis and Palestinians, more Pakistanis and Indians, more Congolese, Ethiopians, Somalians, Colombians, etc, etc.
Your plan could also means starting a ‘new’ war of similar proportions elsewhere on the planet. Or, and this is the most likely outcome, trigger WWIII.
I repeat what you have heard me say a million times and I shall never tire of saying: the war industry can operate EXCLUSIVELY” through governments, through politicians. The ´people´ of a country cannot buy tanks, cruise missiles, bombing drones, warships. etc. Only politicians can buy these killing toys and not with heir own money, but with borrowed funds (Banks, IMF, etc) that ruin any economy. ONLY governments have the right to own slaves (Armed Forces to you) . ONLY governments can concoct, agree and negotiate wars. (Franklin Delano Roosevelt also said this) ONLY governments can order their armies to fight, torture kill people, destroy buildings, bridges, families, societies, nature, the environment.
In short, by NOT proposing the Universal Abolition of the War industry and the Armed Forces, you’re giving the message to governments that wars are OK, are acceptable.
To believe that we can pay the salaries of many millions of workers in the war industry and live in Peace is the same as to believe that we can plant apple trees to reap bananas
An appreciative work of Dr. Bishnu Pathak. I want to congratulate him for this work n share it with a small comment.
Dr. Bishnu Pathak, a topmost author among other several co-authors of this paper, is a state recognized personality in Nepal for peace making in the post conflict between Maoist Insurgents n the Government of Nepal- ruled by the king Birendra n Gyanendra and specially the parliamentarian parties such as Nepali Congress, CPN-UML n RPP etc. I think, because of several unwanted powers, parties, persons n reasons n their bad intentions the peace process couldn’t be ended although a genuine attempt was made by Mr. Pathak n the team. The process has been going on till now for more than 18 years.
The paper is focused on a concept of permanent peace relating majorly on Russia-Ukraine war. The paper has presented several reasons of conflict n processes and conditions of permanent peace generated by foreign intellectuals. Similarly the paper insists on perpetual peace. But the paper could not present the logic n definition of perpetual peace defined n divided by our own veteran intellectual Yogi Narahari Nath. I still remember well that Yogi mentioned two kinds of perpetual peace, the one is Shiva Shanti which means conscious peace n the other is Shava Shanti that means the peace as of a dead body. While I was studying at Dang Campus in 2033, he had come to the campus n had given a lecture on peace. He explained that Shiva Shanti is the real, complete n permanent one. He focused that such peace is gained by the means of curiosity, consciousness n the struggle for knowledge, wisdom, truth n justice. According to him, the next peace Shava Shanti is also permanent but what does it mean to such a peace of a dead body, although the dead body is permanently stable, calm n absolutely peaceful.
Similarly, our closest neighboring country China´s great communist leader Mao has analyzed war n peace relatively. He says war n peace are antagonistic n have dialectical relation in each-other. Peace is opposite of war n ultimately the war is necessary for peace. The Peace negates the war n the war also negates the peace but finally the just full war completely negates war forever. Thus he classifies the war in two kinds as just full n unjust full. He synthesized that the just full war already leads to peace but the unjust full war leads continuous wars n great wars. He summarizes that the just full war is not only necessary for perpetual peace, it is finally victorious over all of the wars.
I think these two arguments n examples would be mentioned in the paper for its comprehensive analysis n scientific, even practical synthesis. Apart from this, the paper has tried to provide the paved way to peace not only from Russia-Ukraine war but also for all other wars of the world including Israeli ongoing massacre over Palestinian n their supporters !
https://nepaltoday.com.np/politics/12607
The philosophical aspect of Perpetual Peace is appreciated, but it doesn’t address the nuts-and-bolts of the Russo-Ukrainian War. I was disappointed that the paper did not include discussion about territorial claims or political resolution. Yes, if only Jesus would come down and declare Love in the hearts of adversaries would be phenomenal, but even if He did, there would likely be no press and he’d be suppressed by practitioners of Realpolitik and war mongers. Anyway, what such an approach actually requires is the persistence and steadfastness of the clergy to disseminate His message, which is difficult in a shooting war where one side has closed the churches, while the other has shut down the press.
Ukraine, not only the breadbasket, but once a manufacturing powerhouse, spiraled into decadence following the Soviet collapse. Falling back under Russian influence, the Yanukovych regime took a corrupt, oligarchical form, appeasing its eastern neighbor and embracing the Eurasian Economic Union instead of the EU. This inspired other interests to precipitate the 2013 Euromaidan uprising, with promises of the West’s easy life for an impatient Ukrainian youth who didn’t grasp that common wealth isn’t found in bars and comedy clubs, but requires the endurance & effort of productive work. This ended in the 2014 Revolution of Dignity and the association agreement with the EU, the genesis of the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Following the collapse of the Yanukovych-Azarov government in February, 2014, agreements Ukraine had with Russia, including the Crimean lease, were nullified. This placed the Russian fleet in jeopardy, so the Russian Federation took action to secure those assets by annexation of Crimea. Ukrainian oblasts adjoining Russia in the Donbas region (which had been at odds with the Kyiv/Kiev government since the 1990s) and southward were taken by unmarked, pro-Russian forces ostensibly for liberation, but more likely to secure a route to Russia’s Crimean naval base. The Russians also quickly constructed the Kerch Bridge, inaugurated in 2019, to reach Crimea from the mainland.
Fighting between Ukraine and secessionist, pro-Russian elements in the Donbas region, the Donbas War sporadically continued until 2022. It was then that Russian Federation forces built up along the Ukrainian border with exhortations that Ukraine not join NATO. At the time, the United States administration appeared aloof and uninterested in Russian demands. To demonstrate they meant business, Russia commenced its “Special Military Operation” by invading Ukraine on 24 February, the eighth victory anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity. Subsequent bids for peace with Russia were obstructed by Britain and the United States.
The likelihood of a regime change in the Russian Federation as proscribed by our current US President is nil. In addition to Russia’s industrial power and military might, this conflict could perpetually be supplemented with materiel provided by China & Iran via North Korea. It is reprehensible that Russia has annexed border regions, though it should be considered that they have not gone further than adjacent areas as in the example of Georgia.
So here we are with a new administration poised to enter the White House. Rather than forcing reparations for this horrendous incursion, resolution of the conflict probably rests in something like providing Russia the opportunity to purchase Crimea from Ukraine and create a trust fund for the independence of the eastern Ukrainian oblasts as buffer states, with a stipulation from the West that Ukraine not join NATO.
Thanks and Congratulations Dr. sab.
I really appreciate and salute you for your hard effort in building peace through scholar activities including this internationally renounced paper. Keep up the good work in making peaceful world.
Perpetual peace plan
Dear Prof. Dr. Pathak,
You deserve kudos for your sincere efforts for preparing a plan for peace when the world is on the brink of another war. After going through your research paper on Perpetual Peace Plan for the Russia –Ukraine War, I would like to make some comments on your paper, which I don’t deserve atall to make, as I don’t know more about the internal conditions of Ukraine and Russia, which propelled Russia to wage a war on Ukraine in 20240 by capturing Crimea.
1. It seems to me a purely academic paper written with a good intention.
2. It covers a broad spectrum of war that justify perpetual peace.
3. Any peaceful initiative is effective only when at least one warring side wants to have peace after it feel benefited or is unable to continue war.
4. Rarely, neighbouring countries put pressure on the warring side after getting badly affected by the war.
5. The warring sides will have to seek peace if their main supporters who supply arms and ammunition, technical know-how or fund stop their assistance after forgoing their interest in continuing the war.
6. Perpetual peace cannot prevail unless both side realize a win-win position.
7. If one side is humiliated, another war is inevitable, as the WW-2 proves.
8. In the proposed plan, furnishes spiritual ground of Orthodox Church as the meeting point on the one hand and the territories of Crimea, Donetsk,, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporozhe with their established borders as integral subjects of the Russian Federation, on the otrher.I doubt that Ukraine will accept this proposal.
9. Lastly, I agree with you that if the conflict continues, the possibility of WW-3 looms large, which will be more catastrophic than the WW-1 and 2 for human civilization. And Any more delay in peace initiative may end in humiliating defeat of any side will be more dangerous.
Sincerely yours,
Birendra Prasad Mishra
Baneshwor, Kathmandu-31, Nepal
November 16, 2024.
Dear Bishnu,
Thank you for your article in Transcend about our collective, 22 coauthors-peacemakers from 10 countries and 11 international peacemaking organizations, which attracted some attention and discussion. This is good and for this we are grateful. I published your response and translated it into Russian with comments on our website here: https://peacefromharmony.org/?cat=en_c&key=1230 and below.
But we cannot ignore your Western, zombified distortion of the beginning and causes of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. You did not try to establish its true cause and ugly shifted the blame from the “sick head to the healthy one.” The war was started by the West, which for 20 years turned Ukraine into a neo-Nazi military battering ram against Russia, carried out a coup d’etat in February 2014, put in power the neo-Nazi Bandera regime of Ze with the slogan “Destroy Russia and all Russians.” Immediately after the coup d’etat, the Kyiv Nazis began the genocide of Russians in Donbass, militarily destroying its Russian population and thereby starting a war against Russians and Russia, killing about 15 thousand children, women and civilians by February 2022.
Or do you think that the military genocide of Russians under the slogan “Kill Russia” is not a war against Russia? You, zombified, following the West, like its puppet, repeat that the war began when Russia, after 8 years of efforts to peacefully resolve the issue of Russian Donbass, began to militarily, adequately protect its Russian population in the SVO, turning historical facts upside down, renouncing historical truth. Whatever the reasons for this, most likely the press of the pro-Western editorial board of Transcend, you acted dishonestly, not as an incorruptible scientist, but as a weak Western propagandist. You did not have the spirit and courage to go against this aggressive current to defend the truth, as did dozens of honest and courageous scientists, whose works are published and listed on the GGSG website, on the page: Russia “MFA. Genocide in Donbass and Nazi crimes in Ukraine”: https://peacefromharmony.org/?cat=en_c&key=1049. You did not watch it, did not read any of these authors, did not mention any of them in your article, although as a different opinion. You did not bother to read one of the first, honest, courageous and brilliant article of 2014: Diana Johnstone. Washington’s Iron Curtain in Ukraine. 2014: https://peacefromharmony.org/?cat=en_c&key=1038. To honest people, the truth becomes clear from the beginning.
In your bibliography of 48 sources, 5 of which are your works, you did not mention a single honest, true work on this issue. You even managed to “forget” to give an honest full link to our original source “Perpetual Peace of Russia and Ukraine” (https://peacefromharmony.org/?cat=en_c&key=1219) of your collective article, and to our fundamental article substantiating it here: https://peacefromharmony.org/?cat=en_c&key=1206. All of them are with your participation, but you refused to include them in the bibliography – WHY? What were you afraid of? Who scared you? I hope that you will take my criticism constructively and publish it in Transcendent as your “Correction”, so to speak, with an accurate analysis of the historical facts of the beginning of the war of the aggressive West/NATO and their puppet Kyiv Nazi regime against the Russians and Russia in February 2014, which Russia was forced to END since February 2022 and will soon end with the complete capitulation of the West and Ukraine. Of course, this war will end with the help of the new, HONEST leader of the USA – Trump, who clearly sees the truth and the source of the war in his country.
I urge you to take the side of honest people, only on whose side there can be eternal peace, proclaimed by the honest, true philosopher Kant, whose truth, unfortunately, has not yet reached many. But this is another question. You need to solve your own problem: to remain honest before history on the issue of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, so that it can trust you and your publications, what they are worth. I am ready to help you with this, even if your Transcend is afraid to publish the truth and this is my answer to you. He is afraid of punishment from the masters who support him. But the truth is not for sale, only a pleasing lie is sold. Let them demonstrate this. Are you willing to defend the truth, or will you obsequiously remain silent?
Dr. Leo Semashko,
GGHA founder (2005) and Honorary President
Dear Professor Dr. Leo Semashko,
I am very pleased to receive your reply and I truly appreciate your efforts to comment. The feedback provided is timely, and I accept it. However, it must be noted that even twins from the same embryo can have differing opinions. It also depends on where one was born, grew up, studied, with whom they have associated, what culture they have adopted, which terrain they belong to, and how familiar they are with the subject matter they are writing about, etc. Speaking truthfully, being from a poor country like Nepal far away, I have little knowledge of the Russia-Ukraine war.
On the other hand, my perspective could be influenced by the fact that Gautama Buddha was born in Nepal, the country of my birth, my adherence to Gandhian non-violence, and my relationship with Professor Johan Galtung over two decades. It may also be because I have been practicing the facilitation and mediation of peace processes for a long time, I cannot definitively say what is right and what is wrong. What I have learned from Dr. Galtung is that peace processes through dialogue, negotiation, agreement, and cooperation, require a give and take, which should initiate through informal-formal and indirect-direct dialogue methods.
Being close to Dr. Galtung, I understand that change is possible through positive peace, which may require silence in some situations. One must be able to respect their so-called enemy. More attention should be paid to the selection of words, using polite and diplomatic language. In some cases, even unwillingly, one may have to solve half of the problem by carefully listening and softly smiling. Any negotiation should be preceded by tolerance and tenacity. Once the round table dialogue begins, the root-causes of the war should gradually be discussed. These principles are the foundation of a coauthored perpetual peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine war.
As far as TRANSCEND Media Service is concerned, it has been continuously led by Dr. Antonio Rosa since its inception. He worked as a Personal Secretary to Professor Galtung for a long time until his passing in February 2024. A man with such noble qualities as Galtung’s legacy, who is recognized as Galtung II, has no reason to fear anything.
If the Gandhian Global Harmony Association aims to mediate or facilitate peace in Russia-Ukraine, it must consider the words when and where to use them. I have not come across any historical instance where peace was established through sharp and harsh words. Today we must remember the words Gandhi used even in civil disobedience and dialogue processes (informal-formal and indirect-direct) as the GGHA keeps Gandhian philosophy at the core of our organization.
I plan to write and present responses to all comments in about a week, pursuing the theoretical framework of human security. I have also kept your comments on the TMS comment box. Please see, https://www.transcend.org/tms/2024/11/perpetual-peace-plan-for-the-russia-ukraine-war/.
Once again, I thank you in advance for taking the time to read my response.
Sincerely yours in peace,
Bishnu