envision peace

Experiencing war does not dispense with considering peace. It is even precisely when the latter seems impossible that it becomes urgent to redouble our efforts and to work on it, without naivety and without respite. One year to the day after the invasion of Ukraine, the risk is immense that the conflict will spread to the point of spiraling out of control. The return to stability begins with the balance of forces. In this sense, it is legitimate to have strengthened support for the Ukrainian army in recent weeks. Nothing would be worse than to suggest that Western resolve is weakening. This is to make Russia understand that it is not in its interest to continue the offensive since it has no chance of leading to victory. But make no mistake: arming Ukraine does not in itself offer a desirable prospect. Arms deliveries only make sense if they increase the possibilities of quickly achieving a “just and lasting peace”, according to the terms of the resolution discussed this Thursday at the United Nations.

This paradox seems too vivid, too painful, to be understood by Ukrainians, victims of Vladimir Putin’s aggression, or by populations bordering Russia who have good reason to feel directly threatened. This partly explains the criticism that arises whenever a leader – from Emmanuel Macron to Pope Francis – raises the possibility of talks between Ukrainians and Russians. It is however essential that the objective of peace not disappear under the din of the bombs. We must say it again on this February 24 – and before crossing a point of no return: envisaging peace does not mean capitulating. This is the sine qua non for it to happen one day.

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