Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation commentary: What is needed is for Russia to withdraw, not a ‘de-escalation on both sides’

2023-06-23 | Geopolitical analysis, Expert publications

By Olexiy Haran.

The visit of African leaders to Ukraine and Russia is an important step that shows the African continent is trying to play a role internationally. The question though is whether the mission will lead to peace or become just blah-blah talks, which could be used as a smokescreen for the aggressor, writes Olexiy Haran,  Research Director of the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, Professor of Comparative Politics at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy.

While several African leaders were in the Ukrainian capital on Friday with their peace initiative, Kyiv was bombarded. Like thousands of Ukrainians since February 2022, African leaders had to go to a shelter.

African leaders’ braveness in visiting Ukraine during the time of war was well received by ordinary Ukrainians. During that shelling, seven people were wounded, including a four-year-old girl. Such shelling is very telling about the “Russia’s will to peace”.

Continue reading the full publication here.