Russia's War On Ukraine How Diplomacy and Global Partnerships are the Only Solutions Agnessa Safovich   © Copyright 2023 by Agnessa Safovich

Photo by Yurii Khomitskyi on Unsplash

"Russia is like a hungry wolf let loose among the sheep. But after the feasting comes the digestion period. Russia will not be able to digest them all." - Winston Churchill 

In 2014 after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the United States and its allies affirmed that they do not and will never recognize Crimea as a Russian territory. (Pompeo). Diplomacy for a ceasefire and full Ukraine territorial control was attempted in the Minsk Accords, but was unsuccessful (Roy). Russia’s list of demands included the surrender of NATO in Eastern European regions and Russian sovereignty over Crimea as well as Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukrainian demilitarization, and the abandonment of Ukrainian bids to join NATO and the EU (Yang).

In commitment with the support and progression of democracy in Ukraine and neighboring countries, the Biden Administration implemented the European Democratic Resilience Initiative in close coordination with the European Union and other partners to provide $320 million for the defense of human rights and resilience against corruption. (“Joint Statement by President Biden and President von der Leyen”)

Shortly after the current crisis began, the United States provided $1 billion in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and has deployed a 25-person humanitarian response team to provide assistance and coordinate with the United Nations, NGOs, and the State Emergency Services of Ukraine. Since 3.5 million refugees have already fled the country (“Time to Negotiate End to ‘Unwinnable’ War”), the U.S. has provided $123 million to Poland, Moldova, Romania, and Hungary to host millions of refugees. U.S.-funded humanitarian organizations have deployed refugee coordinators partnered with host governments to launch programs to assist in needed accommodations such as food and medical support before people are capable of supporting themselves (“The Biden Administration Announces New Humanitarian, Development, and Democracy Assistance to Ukraine and the Surrounding Region”). For the first time, the Temporary Protection Directive was triggered, which granted refugees temporary protection in European countries (“Temporary Protection”). To combat rampant kleptocracy, Congress is considering six anti-corruption bills in the final National Defense Authorization Act (Volkov, “Confronting Kremlin &Communist Corruption.”).   According to Representative Tom Malinowski, (D-NJ) “fighting corruption is the key to winning the contest between democracy and dictatorship” (“Confronting Kremlin & Communist Corruption.”).

However, what Ukraine may want most – establishment of a no-fly zone – has been ruled out by NATO, which believes that such a step would be unnecessarily provocative. Putin has stated that any nation participating in the imposition of a no-fly zone will be considered a combatant (Ramsey). The Western nations, cognizant of the dangers of direct confrontation with Russia, have limited their military assistance to ground-support items, anti-tank missiles, and logistics. Even so, Putin has openly discussed the mobilization of Russia’s nuclear arsenal (Bugos).

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Global partnerships are crucial to all aspects of U.S. foreign policy, especially when dealing with conflict affected countries. To keep the pressure mounting, President Biden signed an executive order to ban oil imports from Russia in close consultation with global allies and members of Congress to further isolate Russia from the global markets (“United States Bans Imports of Russian Oil, Liquefied Natural Gas, and Coal.”). The G7 and EU coordinated the Sanction Evasion Initiative to prevent circumvention of sanctions from Russia’s side, such as itsability to exploit its international reserves, including gold. (“United States and Allies and Partners Impose Additional Costs on Russia.”). 

Never in history have global powers united so swiftly and effectively to put pressure on an aggressor state and stand in solidarity for the future of democracy and human rights.  

The solution to the long-term conflict between Russia and Ukraine lies in combating the regular practice of corruption and kleptocracy that government officials use to “engage in illicit self-enrichment,” preserve power, and use strategically as a foreign policy. It is a “global phenomenon,” as their home countries allow them to steal, and a separate country keeps those stolen assets safe (Volkov, “Confronting Kremlin & Communist Corruption.”). With little desire for negotiation and facilitated dialogue, Russia’s economy has already faced the inevitable consequences. The ruble has been devalued and is worth less than a U.S. cent; the Moscow Stock exchange has closed for weeks; the Central Bank of Russia has doubled its interest rates to 20 percent; and the collapse of the GDP will erase the past 15 years of economic gains for Russia (“United States and Allies and Partners Impose Additional Costs on Russia.”). 

Sanctions have turned Russia into a pariah state. However, these tactics have been merely utilized as a negotiating tool (Beauchamp). President Putin continues to heavily rely on the support from his own people to maintain his power by using state-funded television and social media operations to circulate disinformation and propaganda to garner control among his population. (“United with Ukraine”).

With America leading the world in its decision to impose harsher repercussions, more than 400 multinational companies have left in a “mass exodus by the private sector” (“United States and Allies and Partners Impose Additional Costs on Russia.” ). The longer the war goes on, the more the people of Russia will feel the cost of their government’s brutal campaign in Ukraine, economically and through the mass casualties of their family members and friends, which can mark a turn in the tide for the future of the regime.

The war has not gone well for Russia. Its anticipated territorial gains have been stymied by a vigorous Ukrainian defense. A de-escalation strategy could result in giving the Russian president a way out of his misjudged attack, and a chance to still appear heroic in front of his own people. The international community must put conflict management first, and entrapping Putin into a “nothing to lose” situation may only lead to further escalation. Diplomacy may take patience and time, but it is the key to finding common ground and maintaining a level of stability between countries. A conflict with no direct line of communication is a recipe for misunderstandings and escalations, and a lack of diplomacy can perpetuate a war in Ukraine that could last for years (Yang).

Works Cited

Works in Print:

Dorman, Shawn, editor. Inside a U.S. Embassy: Diplomacy at Work. Foreign Service Books, 2011

Web sources:

Beauchamp, Zack. “How the US and Its Allies Can Help Ukraine without Starting World War III.” Vox, Vox, 3 Mar. 2022, https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/22958725/ukraine-russia-us-nato-sancti ons-military-aid-protest. Accessed 5 Mar. 2022.

Bugos, Shannon. “Arms Control Today.” Putin Orders Russian Nuclear Weapons on Higher Alert | Arms Control Association, Mar. 2022, https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2022-03/news/putin-orders-russian-nuclear-weap ons-higher-alert. Accessed 29 Mar. 2022. 

“Confronting Kremlin & Communist Corruption.” CSCE, 2 Dec. 2021, https://www.csce.gov/international-impact/events/confronting-kremlin-communist -corruption. Accessed 2 Mar. 2022.

“Fact Sheet: The Biden Administration Announces New Humanitarian, Development, and Democracy Assistance to Ukraine and the Surrounding Region.” U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, 24 Mar.  2022, https://ua.usembassy.gov/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-announces-new-humanitarian-development-and-democracy-assistance-to-ukraine-and-the-surroundi ng-region/. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

“Fact Sheet: United States and Allies and Partners Impose Additional Costs on Russia.” The White House, The United States Government, 24 Mar. 2022, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/03/24/fact-sheet-united-states-and-allies-and-partners-impose-additional-costs-on-russia/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2022. “Fact Sheet: United States Bans Imports of Russian Oil, Liquefied Natural Gas, and Coal.” The White House, The United States Government, 8 Mar. 2022, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/03/08/fact-s heet-united-states-bans-imports-of-russian-oil-liquefied-natural-gas-and-coal/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2022.

“Joint Statement by President Biden and President Von Der Leyen.” The White House, The United States Government, 24 Mar. 2022, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/03/24/joint-s tatement-by-president-biden-and-president-von-der-leyen/#:~:text=To%20support %20human%20rights%20defenders,to%20these%20groups%20and%20regional. Accessed 27 Mar. 2022. 

“Joint Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026.” US Department of State, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Final-State-USAID-FY-2022- 2026-Joint-Strategic-Plan_29MAR2022.pdf. Accessed 31 Mar. 2022. 

Office of the Spokesperson. “U.S.-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership - United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, 10 Nov. 2021, https://www.state.gov/u-s-ukraine-charter-on-strategic-partnership/. Accessed 4 Mar. 2022.

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Pompeo, Michael R. “Crimea Declaration - United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, 25 July 2018, https://2017-2021.state.gov/crimea-declaration/index.html. Accessed 6 Mar. 2022. 

Ramzy, Austin. “Here's Why Western Leaders Are Reluctant to Impose a No-Fly Zone over Ukraine.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 6 Mar. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/europe/what-is-no-fly-zone.html Accessed 15 Mar. 2022.

Roy, Diana. “How Bad Is Ukraine's Humanitarian Crisis?” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, 25 Mar. 2022, https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/ukraine-humanitarian-crisis-refugees-aid. Accessed 26 Mar. 2022.

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“Time to Negotiate End to 'Unwinnable' War in Ukraine, Guterres Declares | | UN News.” United Nations, United Nations, 22 Mar. 2022, https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1114392. Accessed 26 Mar. 2022. 

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Winston Churchill, 1874-1965, British Prime Minister (Conservative), Statement to French President Charles De Gaulle who was concerned that Russia could dominate Eastern Europe after World War II, Quoted by John Lukacs, Lecture, The Free Library of Philadelphia, September 20, 2001

Yang, Mary. “Why the World Can't Ditch Diplomacy in Putin's War.” Foreign Policy, 7 Mar. 2022, https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/03/07/putin-russia-ukraine-war-diplomacy/. Accessed 14 Mar. 2022.

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My name is Agnessa Safovich and I’m 19 years old. My family is originally from Ukraine, but I grew up in New York City. I am an incoming freshman at the University of Florida planning to study environmental science and political science. My passions include civic engagement, advocacy for people and sustainability, and female empowerment. I usually spend my days playing tennis, swimming, reading, and watching French new wave cinema. My goals in broad terms include devoting my life to research and the reversal of the effects of climate change with assistance of a law degree. I would describe myself as persistent and a risk-taker with a genuine love for people, animals, our land, and oceans.