ENDING WARS
All wars come to an end eventually, as participants run out of endurance, supply of personnel, ammunition and money. Wars end, although there will be a residual amount of resentment, distrust and hatred. Ceasefires start, at first sporadically with frequent breakages, and later, becoming more reliable.
Then peace negotiations start, either as a surrender by one side, or in a more evenly matched contest, consisting of long talks where with each side tries to get the best deal possible. These negotiations can be protracted, and can repeatedly fall back into warfare. This is where the Russia-Ukraine war is now situated. Negotiations are desperately needed to put an end to the war in Ukraine, but at present negotiations are blocked over which state is to “own” the territories of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk – Ukraine or Russia? Russia will not accept defeat, and Ukraine will not accept having land taken from them by military means.
One way of resolving this deadlock would be by giving a choice to the inhabitants of the disputed land.
Link: Ending the war in Ukraine
Peacemakers
There are a number of courageous people and organisations working quietly, out of the glare of publicity, to bring wars to an early end by talking to both sides. One such organisation is Conciliation Resources, and their work deserves study and support.
