No decisions on peace without Ukraine

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.    – James 3:18

The upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, in Alaska, is poised to address the pressing issue of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump announced this significant event via social media, and a spokesperson from the Kremlin later confirmed the plans, noting that Alaska was a “logical” choice for the meeting due to its geographical proximity to Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it abundantly clear that any discussions or resolutions regarding the war must include Ukraine itself. He emphasized his readiness to collaborate with all international partners to work towards achieving a “lasting peace.” In his recent statements, Zelensky articulated a crucial point: “Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are also decisions against peace. They will achieve nothing,” highlighting the fundamental truth that the war cannot be resolved without the active participation and consent of the Ukrainian government and Ukrainian people.

Reflecting on this contemporary situation, I am reminded of my PhD thesis, which analyzed international correspondence between 1914 and 1923, during which major European and American powers made critical decisions concerning Ukraine’s independence, all while excluding Ukrainian representatives from the conversation. This disregard led to adverse outcomes for the Ukrainian government and ultimately resulted in the Ukrainian People’s Republic being subsumed into the Soviet Union.

The establishment of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) was part of a broader Soviet policy aimed at national delimitation within the USSR. This policy involved the imposition of Soviet political and social structures, including the establishment of soviets (councils) as a means of governance. Furthermore, the Soviet regime undertook a cultural revolution intended to propagate communist ideology while simultaneously suppressing the burgeoning sense of Ukrainian national identity.

Despite being formally recognized as a subject of international law, the Ukrainian SSR’s foreign policy was dictated by Moscow. As such, Ukraine’s relationships with other nations were mediated almost entirely through the Soviet Union, significantly undermining its sovereignty and ability to engage independently on the international stage.

As Ukrainians, we have lived through generations under what could be described as “Russian rules-based order.” Our historical experiences have instilled in us a profound understanding of the necessity of upholding an international law-based order – one in which every nation’s voice is acknowledged and valued, particularly concerning issues that determine their own future.

We, as a nation, have unwavering confidence in America’s capacity to help bring an end to this devastating war. The President of the United States possesses both the necessary global influence and the resolve to effect change. Ukraine has consistently supported President Trump’s initiatives for peace since February, embracing proposals aimed at achieving a ceasefire. However, what is urgently needed now is not merely a cessation of hostilities but a substantive, lasting peace. We require immediate action, not mere promises of a truce in the distant future.

We are grateful to our European partners for their joint leaders’ statement concerning peace in Ukraine. Leaders from France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the UK, Finland and the EU collectively affirmed that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.” They underscored the principle that borders should not be altered by force and argued that the current line of contact should serve as the foundational starting point for negotiations.

The Ukrainian people, who have endured so much suffering, deserve a genuine peace. It is essential that all partners comprehend what constitutes a dignified peace. This war must come to an end, and the responsibility lies squarely with Russia to take the necessary steps towards resolution. Russia instigated this conflict and continues to prolong it, ignoring established deadlines, which remains the core issue at hand.

The solution to the territorial disputes involving Ukraine is firmly enshrined in the Ukrainian Constitution. There can be no question of conceding land to the occupant; Ukrainians are resolute in their commitment to safeguard their territorial integrity.

Ukraine stands ready to engage in meaningful discussions that will yield true solutions promoting peace. Any proposals that exclude us or operate against our interests are, in essence, proposals against peace. Such “dead solutions” lack viability and will not be accepted. What we seek is a real, authentic peace that resonates with the will of the people.

In pursuit of a lasting resolution, we are prepared to work hand in hand with President Trump and all our partners, striving for a peace that remains intact, unyielding to the dictates of Moscow.

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Yuliia Fediv is the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Philippines.