Diplomacy and War

Ukraine Wins on the Diplomatic Front

 

Ivan Sichen

In May 2023, Ukrainian diplomacy intensified markedly. Its activity was observed against the background of the final stage of preparation of Ukrainian troops for a counteroffensive. Thus, a series of bilateral meetings of representatives of our state with leaders of foreign countries took place. Besides, Ukraine at the highest state and other levels participated in all major international events.

The objectives and outcomes of such meetings or events are well known. However, it is useful to once again consider them comprehensively in order to draw appropriate conclusions. Especially as they are strategically and geopolitically important not only for Ukraine, but for the entire world community. This concerns, first of all, the Western and other democratic countries’ final moving to a policy of tough counteracting Russia as the aggressor state and the main center of totalitarianism in the world. At the same time, our partners have confirmed the inviolability of their intentions to further support Ukraine. Moreover, assistance to Ukraine is reaching a qualitatively new level.

 

…May 2023, in the international arena, was one of the most decisive for our state since the beginning of the war…

Since 2022, one of the main issues on the agenda of almost every international forum has been discussing the situation around Russia’s war against Ukraine. This is happening with the participation of representatives of our state who defend Ukraine’s interests in the world and, in fact, fight on the diplomatic front.

Bilateral meetings of the top Ukrainian state leadership with leaders of other countries are also important. This refers to both our partners and those who indirectly support Russia or have chosen a neutral position or demonstrate it as such. Diplomats coordinate with Ukraine’s partners the actions to contain Russia, and try to change the attitude to it of those who clearly or covertly stand on the side of the aggressor state. In the first and second cases, our diplomacy succeeds.

So, May 2023, in the international arena, was one of the most decisive for our state since the beginning of the war. As you know, President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyi met with the leaders of Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy, and also participated in the summits of the Group of Seven (G7) in Japan and of the Arab League in Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister of Ukraine D. Kuleba made important visits to South America and Africa. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly was held with the participation of our representatives.

The results of such events are already well known, so we will not repeat then. It is better to draw appropriate conclusions.

…The entire democratic world has recognized that Ukraine is defending it from Russia…

First, and most important — the entire democratic world has recognized that Ukraine is defending it from Russia. Currently, Ukraine is the main force restraining the spread of totalitarianism. And the Group of Seven, in fact, became the Group of Eight with the participation of our state.

Second — together with Ukraine, the G7 countries and their partners have created an international coalition to counter totalitarian regimes. The main of these regimes are the Russian and Chinese ones.

Moscow, together with Beijing, are trying to confront the democratic world, but they cannot do so even by joining forces. Moreover, their approaches to rivalry with the West are diametrically opposite in nature. As always, Russia relies on its armed forces, while China tries to avoid excessive confrontation with the West and mainly resorts to economic methods.

…The main tool to counter Russia’s neo-imperial policy remains the consistent strengthening of sanctions against it, which are becoming increasingly severe…

Third — the main tool of Western and other democratic countries to counter Russia’s neo-imperial policy remains the consistent strengthening of sanctions against it, which are becoming increasingly severe. As you know, during the G7 summit, an agreement was reached on the preparation of the next package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. So far, they are bypassing the Russian nuclear industry, but, they are approaching it. Russia will not be able to sell its fuel for European nuclear power plants, which remains perhaps its last export commodity.

Fourth — the G7 countries are increasing pressure on those overt and covert “allies” of Russia who help it circumvent sanctions. A clear signal on this issue (and in fact an ultimatum) was again voiced at the G7 summit in Japan. The demands are backed up by concrete actions to impose sanctions on several Chinese companies supplying dual-use goods to Russia. It should be noted that due to the Russia’s war against Ukraine, sanctions against China are introduced for the first time. However, the G7 countries and the European Union pay special attention to the countries of Central Asia, which create the main transit route for the supply of sanctioned goods to the Russian Federation.

…The G7, NATO and the EU openly want Ukraine to win over Russia. That is why they provide political, economic and military-technical assistance to Ukraine…

Fifth — the Group of Seven, NATO and the European Union openly want Ukraine to win over Russia as a guarantee of deterring totalitarianism. That is why they provide political, economic and military-technical assistance to Ukraine. Moreover, as noted above, the supply of military equipment to our state reaches a qualitatively new level. The US Patriot air defense systems are already defending our sky. And American and German tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, which were transferred to us, are already fighting in eastern Ukraine. Our pilots are trained on F-16s, which will appear in the Ukrainian sky soon.

…The West has finally realized that negotiating with Moscow is pointless. Therefore, Ukraine will not be forced by anybody to peace with Russia on unfavorable terms for us…

Sixth — the West has finally realized that negotiating with Moscow is pointless. Therefore, Ukraine will not be forced by anybody to peace with Russia on unfavorable terms for us. Ukraine itself will decide how and on what issues it will talk with Moscow. This position was once again confirmed by the leaders of the G7 countries. At the same time, Russia itself and its partners, in particular, China, Brazil and a number of other countries, are still trying to encourage Ukraine to make concessions in favor of Russia. They will not succeed.

Seventh — as demonstrated by the meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the North Atlantic Alliance remains open to Ukraine. The European Union remains open too. It is a pity that until the end of the war, due to objective circumstances, Ukraine will not be able to acquire full membership in those organizations. However, this is not an obstacle to even closer cooperation with them.

…Ukrainian diplomats managed to persuade the Third World countries that assisting Russia in the war against Ukraine is pointless…

Eighth — despite the war, Ukraine is expanding the circle of its partners. Even at the expense of those who were considered satellites of Russia. This was shown by the participation of the President of Ukraine in the Arab League summit. In addition, Ukraine confirmed its role and importance as a leading supplier of grain to the world food market. Besides, Ukrainian diplomats managed to persuade the Third World countries that assisting Russia in the war against Ukraine is pointless. Russia’s satellites have already begun to change their positions. At least some of them are moving from supporting Moscow to neutrality.

To sum all this up, we would like to draw attention to the fact that the Kremlin’s hopes that the world will “get tired” of the war unleashed by Russia are not coming true. Ukraine is increasingly integrating into the Western world and has finally left the sphere of Russian influence. We are already not only a full-fledged part of Europe, but also one of its main components.

…Ukraine is increasingly integrating into the Western world and has finally left the sphere of Russian influence…

Moscow’s plans to turn Russia into a great world power by restoring some kind of the USSR by force have suffered an absolute defeat. Moscow is losing its dominant role even as a regional center of power and has become a rogue  state.

However, Russia still has the potential to continue the war against our state. This is confirmed by large-scale missile strikes on Ukraine, the capital included, which have been observed since early May 2023. Most of the Russian missiles and kamikaze drones are destroyed by our air defense. And this can also be considered the contribution of our diplomacy, which negotiated on the supply of Western air defense systems to Ukraine.

 

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