How Should America Push for Peace in Europe?

In The American Conservative, Cato Institute Senior Fellow and former Special Assistant to Ronald Reagan, Doug Bandow outlines a plan for peace in Europe that puts the realities of the conflict first. Bandow gives a five-step plan for ending the war and bringing peace to Europe. In brief, Bandow suggests:

1. The end of hostilities
2. America’s overriding war objective should be the preservation of Ukraine’s independence.
3. Resolution of the current conflict should become an important step in shifting defense responsibilities for Europe onto Europe.
4. Whatever emerges at war’s end will have to reflect geographic realities and address Moscow’s perceived vulnerabilities.
5. The ultimate objective should be to reintegrate a peaceful Russia into the international order—diplomatic, cultural, and economic.

Bandow explains each point in detail.

He concludes:

With neither party showing much interest in negotiations, the war appears far from a swift conclusion. The U.S. should adjust its financial and materiel commitments to Kiev to avoid inflating Ukrainian expectations. Washington should indicate that it is essential for Ukraine to signal its willingness to talk, else risk finding itself fighting without American and perhaps European assistance.

Washington’s priority should be halting the risk of Armageddon, despite how small that risk might appear to be. Neither America nor Europe can afford a repeat of World War I, in which all parties realized that the conflict had to be ended, but no one was willing to take the first step to stop the slaughter.

The U.S. should initiate conversations with Moscow about what kind of modus vivendi can be reached to end the war while protecting the essential interests of all sides. The U.S. should indicate its readiness to address Moscow’s security issues, in contrast to last February, but warn Russia against making excessive demands, such as occupying Ukraine. All issues should be on the table.

Read more from Bandow here.