UKRAINE IS NOT ONLY "THERE" BUT "HERE" TOO !

The falling leaves make for a good song but only aggravate the mood which prevails in this current season of rot. It feels as if everywhere the seams that are supposed to hold the world together are no longer able to stand the stress test.

From the Korean peninsula to Iran shockwaves prevail. Major conflicts metastasize and the formerly normal process of the electoral cycle only leads to almost freakish outcomes. The battle is no longer waged on competing legitimate options. They only focus on power an und fur Sich. Politicians no longer avoid embracing the leper if he can help them to rule, albeit in a most shameless algorithm. Netanjahu is the latest example of the downfall of principle. The mid-term elections in the United States might provide for another unpleasant ride on the wild side of American politics. It becomes all too easy to enumerate the growing number of aberrations which occur daily even in counties that were considered "safe", Italy or the UK, amongst others.

Since the far abroad is no longer, it is becoming impossible not to pay close attention to the happenings in India, Ethiopia or Brazil. China indicates that a leader does not have to move to act. Compared to President Xi, all other leaders appear suffering from some form or other of hyper-ventilation which verges on hysteria. 

This brings us to the president of Ukraine. Under tremendous pressure, he shows a self-control for all to admire. He keeps his calm where others look like actors lost in "Measure for measure", doing just enough to support him but cautious not to risk upsetting Russia. Fact is that only a diplomatic solution can bring an end to this hybrid war inflicted on an independent country without any regard for past international and other agreements. 

Negotiations generally start when one party is exhausted. The longer the West will remain Ukraine's "timid" suitor, the longer the conflict will continue. Support is probably shaky in Russia, but it already shows cracks in the West. Dr. Kissinger's unorthodox ways were often disreputable but they worked in the end. Putin will have to be forced to negotiate rather than seduced. He must feel the cost of his unethical behavior. While all this misery continues it is urgent to keep a channel of communication open, other than the usual diplomatic outsourcing. Such a most arduous enterprise must not be shy to consider the absurd (the table for the Vietnam peace talks in Paris or the secret Kissinger/ Le Duc Tho pre-talks) and avoid talking over the head of some. 

It is going to be an uphill battle to arrive at a formula for negotiations with so many stockholders. An agreement might have to be supported in a Helsinki-type of format. Not since World War II and the Cold War has Europe seen such a slaughter in its midst. The challenge will be to let Ukraine return to normal and to readmit a repenting Russia back in Europe. In the long run the West has no interest in letting a bloc of malcontents and neutrals further undermine globalization.

In reality Ukraine is also a cultural war of the likes that are appearing everywhere and also viciously in the West itself. Ukraine has as much to fear from Russia as from the hordes of conspiracy fools and fake news spreaders in the West. This war is in reality waged on two fronts and that makes it lethal for the aggressed party and so ominous for the shaky bystanders. The time is on neither's side.

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