Quote of the Day

Peace between Ukraine and Russia will not automatically result from “exhaustion” or a “stalemate”: Things don’t work that way. President Joe Biden is surely correct in believing that only negotiations can end the war. However, initiating them is complicated. Back-channel talks are already being held between various political participants of the conflict. None of the combatants will admit that, however. President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine have staked their reputations on winning this war, not securing a tie, and certainly not by admitting military collapse. It is a mistake to assume that their interests, and that of their governments, are identical with those of civil society and the citizenry.

. . . Black-and-white presentations of the conflict by mass media have contributed to the mess. Russia has undoubtedly turned into a neo-fascist state. For all his charisma, Zelenskyy is no saint. Western media have been irresponsible in essentially ignoring the repression of dissidents, squandering of resources, disarray among military leaders, and rank corruption that characterize his illiberal regime. Ukraine is currently under martial law. Its president’s statement that elections planned for 2024 might be suspended unless allies extend “help,” to the tune of $5 billion, amounts to an extortion that plays on loyalty. On both sides, critics feel threatened, innovative proposals are dismissed, compromise is made more difficult, and the cause of peace is being hindered.

– Stephen Eric Bronner
Co-Director of the International Council for Diplomacy and Dialogue
Excerpted from “New Diplomacy to End the Russian-Ukrainian War”
Common Dreams
September 12, 2023

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
• A “Post-Cold War Train Wreck Long In the Making”
• Yanis Varoufakis: Quote of the Day – February 24, 2022
• A Prayer for Ukraine
• Jeff Cohen: Quote of the Day – February 28, 2022
• Something to Think About – March 4, 2022
• William Hartung: Quote of the Day – May 24, 2022
• Phyllis Bennis On the Need For a Ceasefire in Ukraine
• Cornel West: “Our Anti-Imperialism Must Be Consistent”
• Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies: Quote of the Day – December 28, 2022
• Reed Brody: Quote of the Day – February 6, 2023
• Three Progressive Voices on the War in Ukraine
• “The Militarization of Our Mindsets Is a Failure”

Related Off-site Links:
Outrage Grows as Pentagon Confirms Depleted Uranium Rounds Headed to Ukraine – Jake Johnson (Common Dreams, September 7, 2023).
Ukrainian and Russian Activists on How Putin’s War Emboldens “Authoritarian Forces” Around the World – Democracy Now! (September 7, 2023).
Stephen Wertheim: The West Cannot Ignore Role NATO Expansion Played in Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine – Democracy Now! (July 13, 2023).
Campaigners Say “Ceasefire and Peace Talks” – Not NATO Expansion – Should Be Focus of Key Summit – Jake Johnson (Common Dreams, July 11, 2023).
We Must Work for a Ukraine-Russia Cease-Fire ASAP – Ann Wright (Common Dreams, June 14, 2023.
The Surprising Pervasiveness of Pro-War Propaganda – Medea Benjamin, Nicolas J.S. Davies and Marcy Winograd (FPIF.org, June 9, 2023.
The War in Ukraine Was Provoked – and Why That Matters to Achieve Peace – Jeffrey D. Sachs (Common Dreams, May 23, 2023.
Phyllis Bennis on Ukraine War and Why a Ceasefire Is the First Step Toward Lasting Peace – Democracy Now! (May 9, 2023).
Ukraine Doesn’t Need to Match Russia’s Military Might to Defend Against Invasion – George Lakey (Waging Nonviolence, February 25, 2022).
Condemning Russia’s Invasion, Voices for Peace Say “War Is Not the Answer” – Jake Johnson (Common Dreams, February 24, 2022).
How NATO’s Expansion Helped Drive Putin to Invade Ukraine – Becky Sullivan (NPR News, February 24, 2022).