A recent study shows the reasons the 2022 talks failed are more nuanced than critics suggest, says Emma Ashford of the Stimson Center, Washington DC
A recent study shows the reasons the 2022 talks failed are more nuanced than critics suggest. Compromise may still be possiblehe war in Ukraine will be a source of fascination and study for historians for decades to come. Even today, two years in, we’re starting to see research into some of the big moments that characterised the early days of the conflict, and which sheds light on the confusing welter of news stories that emerged at the time.
Second, this history refutes the notion that neither Ukraine nor Russia is willing to negotiate, or to consider compromises in order to end this war. Some western supporters of Ukraine point to extreme statements by Russian elites to argue that thereto this conflict – Russia will never be satisfied until it is victorious. Yet these early negotiations clearly disprove that point. Both sides presented their demands, and traded drafts back and forth with concessions on certain issues.
Charap and Radchenko’s history is not without its problems. The authors themselves – perhaps fearful of overstepping the mark – pull their punches too much when analysing why the talks failed. For the authors simply to state that multiple factors contributed to the failure of the talks is unsatisfying, given the obvious implication that Ukraine – encouraged by western backing – decided to roll the dice on the future of the conflict.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Boris Johnson ‘refused to be open’ with watchdog about hedge fund roleAcoba chair Eric Pickles says rules on post-ministerial jobs are ‘unenforceable’ after former PM avoided answering questions
Read more »
Boris Johnson Struggles at Right-Wing Event in CanadaFormer UK PM Boris Johnson visibly struggled when some of Tony Abbott's controversial points received a bigger cheer than his own at a right-wing conference in Canada.
Read more »
Boris Johnson and Tony Abbott: the double act you knew you never neededNeedy former UK PM visibly struggled when some of Abbott’s (bonkers) points drew a bigger cheer than his at rightwing event
Read more »
Boris Johnson calls Rishi Sunak’s smoking ban ‘absolutely nuts’Former PM laments state of Tory party saying it is ‘mad’ that party of Winston Churchill is ‘banning cigars’
Read more »
Boris Johnson: ‘You can’t make America great again if Ukraine falls to Putin’The former UK PM urged Republicans in Congress to unite against Russia to maintain America’s status as the world’s pre-eminent superpower.
Read more »
Banning arms sales to Israel would be ‘insane’, says Boris JohnsonFormer prime minister says a western arms embargo on Israel would ‘hand victory’ to Hamas
Read more »