Ukraine

UKRAINE

There is wide consensus that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been a disaster. It has caused thousands of deaths, a huge loss of infrastructure, a fall in Ukrainian GDP of 37% from a year ago, and a rise in energy and food prices globally, especially damaging to poor nations. It has not even benefited Russia, whose armed forces have been stalemated, whose economy has been severely weakened by war losses and sanctions, and whose worldwide reputation has sunk to a new low.

What is the outlook for the future? Ukraine depends on the US and the EU for weapons and is getting plenty. Some call the war a proxy war of the US against Russia. The war could drag on for months at the present pace. Or Russia could commit more forces: it claims to be fighting now with one hand tied behind its back. The option of continued war will lead to more deaths and destruction with “victory” for either side unlikely.

The alternative to continued war is negotiations to end it. Both sides must receive some benefit from negotiations. They will not be easy, but it is the better path.

(SOURCES: New York Times, Paul Krugman column, 9/16/22 and Noam Chomsky interview in TRUTHOUT, 8/24/22)