Ceasefire risks sidelining Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic ambitions
The former ambassador of Poland in Kyiv warns of the consequences of an international ceasefire, which could favour major powers at the expense of medium and small countries. In an interview with "Rzeczpospolita," he also commented on the lingering echoes of a conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. "I would caution everyone who is interested in convincing the parties in conflict to agree to a ceasefire, not to dismiss in advance the Euro-Atlantic perspective for Ukraine," he said.
The conversation's echoes continue to resonate, with the aim - as representatives of the US administration point out - to achieve peace between Russia and Ukraine. Donald Trump is accused of having extended a hand to a war criminal, namely Putin, and inviting him to negotiations on an "equal footing."
Although Ukraine's official stance is that Russia should return all lands annexed since 2014, there is a growing awareness in the country that this may not succeed.
As Bartosz Cichocki, former ambassador of Poland in Kyiv, told "Rzeczpospolita," among Ukrainian decision-makers, there is scepticism about ending the war on terms ideal for Kyiv.
a realistic vision of Ukrainian decision-makers
"Among my interlocutors in Kyiv are people who, not so long ago, were involved in the decision-making process - these are people with their feet firmly on the ground. They understand that the return of Ukraine to the borders of 1991 is unlikely today, as is membership in NATO or even the European Union," he pointed out.
"Of course, public statements in such a tone would be politically very costly, especially if the rulers have nothing to offer voters in return, e.g., security guarantees from Western powers," added Cichocki.
Cichocki emphasises that to avoid the political costs arising from this realistic approach, the rulers in Ukraine would need to provide citizens with other benefits, such as security guarantees from Western powers.
Such safeguards could mitigate the negative political effects associated with the lack of progress on issues that have long been important to Ukraine and its citizens.
"I would caution everyone who is interested in convincing the parties in conflict to agree to a ceasefire, not to dismiss in advance the Euro-Atlantic perspective for Ukraine or to assume partial responsibility for guaranteeing its security. Even if there is a weak point in this mechanism," concluded the former ambassador.
