After a year of devastating war, it is normal to ask questions. Given the global economic impacts, given the lives lost, should Ukraine reach out to Putin to negotiate? Should countries like ours push Zelensky to negotiate rather than equip him for war?
Despite the legitimate dream of peace, there is unfortunately nothing to negotiate with Putin. To concede some territory to it would amount to granting a benefit for an invasion contrary to all the conventions of international law. That would be rewarding barbaric aggression.
Any piece of territory conceded would be one more piece in the puzzle he is building of an enlarged Russian empire. He has plans to annex Belarus, he wanted to take Ukraine. If he had taken Ukraine, one can imagine that he would have eaten Moldova the following week.
Putin needs a trophy
On the other side, Vladimir Putin painted himself in the corner. By getting bogged down in a war he thought he would win in days, he put himself at risk of losing face. He will demand that we grant him significant territories. Otherwise, how will he be able to justify a war at enormous cost in his country? The Russians would have suffered for nothing.
No negotiation is possible now. Sadly, this war will have to last. The determination of the Ukrainians is impressive. Now it is our courage and determination that are being tested.
A year following the start of the war, polls show a weakening of support for the idea that Canada should support Ukraine in its war effort. Although a huge majority still wants a Ukrainian victory, support for a Canadian military contribution is waning a bit.
Of course, the passage of time brings explicable fatigue. But there is more than that…
Who flexes?
Forget the cliché of leftists with a joint and a guitar who would let a dictator act in the name of rejecting war. In 2023, it is rather so-called “right-wing” people with a keyboard and conspiratorial theses who are inclined to give in to Vladimir Putin. In Canada, supporters of Maxime Bernier and Pierre Poilievre succumbed.
It’s not the first time I’ve confessed it, but there are mornings when I no longer understand what’s happening on the right. Letting a dictator land with his army at the neighbor’s house, is this compatible with right-wing values? Go re-read Winston Churchill!
Putting a Putin-style dictatorship on an equal footing with democratic countries? It is at the antipodes of all the values of freedom and defense of civilization that I was taught. Looking away and suggesting that a conflict does not concern us when our values of civilization are at stake is the kind of cowardice decried by right-wing leaders for decades.
Since Trump confessed his fascination with dictators, weird things have happened…