{"id":83501,"date":"2022-07-12T11:34:59","date_gmt":"2022-07-12T15:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/?post_type=cu_story&#038;p=83501"},"modified":"2025-08-19T09:37:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T13:37:09","slug":"ukraine-war-ensure-european-security","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/story\/ukraine-war-ensure-european-security\/","title":{"rendered":"The war in Ukraine shows it&#8217;s time for a new way to ensure security in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-max  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n                    \n                    \n            \n    <div class=\"cu-wideimage relative flex items-center justify-center mx-auto px-8 overflow-hidden md:px-16 rounded-xl not-prose  my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 bg-opacity-50 bg-cover bg-cu-black-50 pt-24 pb-32 md:pt-28 md:pb-44 lg:pt-36 lg:pb-60 xl:pt-48 xl:pb-72\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/ukraine-crater-from-russian-attack-1200x900-1.jpg); background-position: 50% 50%;\">\n\n                    <div class=\"absolute top-0 w-full h-screen\" style=\"background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.600);\"><\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"relative z-[2] max-w-4xl w-full flex flex-col items-center gap-2 cu-wideimage-image cu-zero-first-last\">\n            <header class=\"mx-auto mb-6 text-center text-white cu-pageheader cu-component-updated cu-pageheader--center md:mb-12\">\n\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold mb-2 text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] cu-pageheader--center text-center mx-auto after:left-px\">\n                        The war in Ukraine shows it&#039;s time for a new way to ensure security in Europe\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                            <\/header>\n        <\/div>\n\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"absolute bottom-0 w-full z-[1]\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 1280 312\">\n                <path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M26.412 315.608c-.602-.268-6.655-2.412-13.524-4.769a1943.84 1943.84 0 0 1-14.682-5.144l-2.276-.858v-5.358c0-4.876.086-5.358.773-5.09 1.674.643 21.38 5.84 34.646 9.109 14.682 3.59 28.935 6.858 45.936 10.449l9.874 2.089H57.322c-16.4 0-30.31-.16-30.91-.428ZM460.019 315.233c42.974-10.074 75.602-19.88 132.443-39.867 76.16-26.791 152.063-57.709 222.385-90.663 16.7-7.823 21.336-10.074 44.262-21.273 85.004-41.688 134.719-64.193 195.291-88.413 66.55-26.577 145.2-53.584 194.27-66.765C1258.5 5.626 1281.34 0 1282.24 0c.17 0 .34 27.596.34 61.3v61.299l-2.23.375c-84.7 13.718-165.93 35.955-310.736 84.931-46.494 15.753-65.427 22.076-96.166 32.15-9.102 3-24.814 8.198-34.989 11.574-107.543 35.954-153.008 50.422-196.626 62.639l-6.74 1.876-89.126-.054c-78.135-.054-88.782-.161-85.948-.857ZM729.628 312.875c33.229-10.985 69.248-23.523 127.506-44.207 118.705-42.223 164.596-57.709 217.446-73.302 2.62-.75 8.29-2.465 12.67-3.751 56.19-16.772 126.94-33.597 184.17-43.671 5.07-.91 9.66-1.768 10.22-1.875l.94-.161v170.236l-281.28-.054H719.968l9.66-3.215ZM246.864 313.411c-65.041-2.251-143.047-12.11-208.432-26.256-18.375-3.965-41.73-9.538-42.202-10.074-.171-.214-.257-21.38-.214-47.046l.129-46.618 6.654 3.697c57.313 32.043 118.491 56.531 197.699 79.143 40.313 11.521 83.459 18.058 138.669 21.059 15.584.857 65.685.857 81.14 0 33.744-1.876 61.306-4.93 88.396-9.806 6.396-1.126 11.634-1.983 11.722-1.929.255.375-20.48 7.769-30.999 11.038-28.592 8.948-59.288 15.646-91.873 20.147-26.36 3.59-50.015 5.627-78.35 6.698-15.584.59-55.209.59-72.339-.053Z\"><\/path>\n                <path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M-3.066 295.067 32.06 304.1v9.033H-3.066v-18.066Z\"><\/path>\n            <\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n\n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<p>This article is <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/the-war-in-ukraine-shows-its-time-for-a-new-way-to-ensure-security-in-europe-185680\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">republished<\/a> from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. All photos provided by <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Conversation<\/a> from various sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100px; border: none; position: relative; z-index: 1;\" allowtransparency=\"\" allow=\"clipboard-read; clipboard-write\" src=\"https:\/\/narrations.ad-auris.com\/widget\/the-conversation-canada\/the-war-in-ukraine-shows-it-s-time-for-a-new-way-to-ensure-security-in-europe\" width=\"100%\" height=\"400\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ongoing political and military standoff between Russia and the United States is the most recent indicator that Europe&#8217;s security and economic <a href=\"https:\/\/ottawacitizen.com\/opinion\/carment-and-belo-ukraine-standoff-europe-has-an-opportunity-to-regain-control-over-its-own-security\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">architecture must be transformed<\/a> to harmonize European and Russian strategic interests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, the path toward ending the war in Ukraine requires focusing on the security priorities of those who have the most to gain from a diplomatic solution \u2014 European nations, not the U.S. Peaceful co-existence is dependent upon successful negotiations among <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cgai.ca\/the_normandy_negotiations_renewed_divisions_at_home_and_opportunity_abroad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">European capitals and Moscow.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The war in Ukraine did not start on Feb. 24, 2022, but has <a href=\"https:\/\/iaffairscanada.com\/2022\/a-timeline-on-ukrainian-russian-relations-since-2014\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">been ongoing since 2014<\/a>. Between 2014 and 2022, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cgai.ca\/ukraine_s_grey_zone_conflict_what_lies_ahead\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">more than 15,000 people have died<\/a>, creating a humanitarian disaster for Ukraine and its eastern Donbas region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The protracted conflict has been riddled with <a href=\"https:\/\/npsia.wordpress.com\/2014\/03\/08\/the-false-promise-of-policy-making-through-analogy-sudetenland-and-the-crimea-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">missed opportunities for diplomatic action, confrontation<\/a> and limited <a href=\"https:\/\/www.airuniversity.af.edu\/Wild-Blue-Yonder\/Article-Display\/Article\/2292990\/unilateralism-and-competitive-multilateralism-in-gray-zone-conflict-a-compariso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">strategic thinking<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"european-diplomacy-efforts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">European diplomacy efforts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On June 16, 2022, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2022\/06\/16\/europe\/macron-scholz-draghi-visit-kyiv-ukraine-intl\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">European leaders Emmanuel Macron of France, Germany&#8217;s Olaf Scholz and Italy&#8217;s Mario Draghi visited Kyiv<\/a> separately from U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. This demonstrates Europeans have the capacity to carry out diplomacy independently from Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, pursuing action through a defensive alliance like NATO, rather than focusing on conflict prevention and resolution <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2022\/apr\/25\/us-diplomats-to-return-to-ukraine-and-fresh-military-aid-unveiled-after-blinken-visit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">through collective security arrangements<\/a> \u2014 via the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osce.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe<\/a> (OSCE), the United Nations and the European Union \u2014 has weakened the potential for a negotiated or mediated settlement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Security organizations that might be in a position to support a diplomatic process, however, have now become increasingly vulnerable amid the war. The OSCE, for example, no longer has any real presence in monitoring the conflict because its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voanews.com\/a\/osce-says-trying-to-secure-release-of-monitors-held-in-eastern-ukraine\/6542279.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">representatives have been targeted<\/a>, rather than viewed as intermediaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/472985\/original\/file-20220707-12-7ssh0d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"A column of white SUVs with blue and white flags line a road, ensuring European Security.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\n              <span class=\"caption\">Column of OSCE vehicles line up to leave Donetsk People Republic, the territory controlled by pro-Russian militants, near the Ukrainian-Russia border in eastern Ukraine on March 1, 2022.<\/span><br>\n              <span class=\"attribution\"><span class=\"source\">(AP Photo\/Alexei Alexandrov)<\/span><\/span><br>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We believe a key step toward peace in Ukraine is for Kyiv to relinquish its ambition to join NATO while securing membership within the EU. This decision would move the conflict away from one based on military confrontation and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cgai.ca\/protecting_minority_rights_to_undermine_russias_compatriots_strategy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">towards building Ukraine&#8217;s political and economic resilience within Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kyiv has been granted <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/6190557\/ukraine-eu-membership-candidacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EU candidate status<\/a>, putting it on a path toward membership with the union, but its NATO membership bid has largely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/live-news\/20220308-in-nod-to-russia-ukraine-says-no-longer-insisting-on-nato-membership\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">fallen by the wayside<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"donbas-crimea\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Donbas, Crimea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In return for EU membership, Ukraine should be prepared to negotiate a lasting settlement to address the status of Donbas, Crimea and other territories as Russia&#8217;s occupation of them <a href=\"https:\/\/rubryka.com\/en\/2022\/05\/25\/faktychna-aneksiya-pochalasya-okupanty-rozdayut-rosijski-pasporty-u-mariupoli\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">becomes solidified though annexation<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Luhansk and Donetsk were the focus <a href=\"https:\/\/tass.com\/politics\/1407731\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">of a decree<\/a> issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin three days before invading Ukraine that recognized the contested separate status of these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2022\/2\/21\/donetsk-and-lugansk-heres-what-we-know-about-rebel-regions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">two oblasts<\/a>. As the war grinds on, Russia is taking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/dereksaul\/2022\/05\/25\/putin-signs-decree-fast-tracking-russian-citizenship-applications-from-southern-ukraine\/?sh=76706b774f5b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">de facto political and economic control of these zones.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, the conditions needed to reintegrate the Russian-occupied territories <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticcouncil.org\/blogs\/ukrainealert\/the-truth-behind-ukraine-s-language-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">back into a highly centralized Ukrainian state don&#8217;t exist at this time<\/a>. Therefore, at a minimum, decentralization must be part of the negotiation process, as stipulated in the <a href=\"https:\/\/peacemaker.un.org\/sites\/peacemaker.un.org\/files\/UA_150212_MinskAgreement_en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Minsk Agreement of February 2015<\/a> aimed at stopping the fighting in the region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/472996\/original\/file-20220707-18-lc6dno.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"An elderly woman covers her ears with her hands.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\n              <span class=\"caption\">A woman covers her ears in reaction to a Russian air raid in Lysychansk, in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine on June 16, 2022.<\/span><br>\n              <span class=\"attribution\"><span class=\"source\">(AP Photo\/Efrem Lukatsky)<\/span><\/span><br>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"committing-to-de-escalation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Committing to de-escalation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The EU and the OSCE are in better positions to support Ukraine&#8217;s decentralization since they have the ability to monitor and strengthen minority rights among candidate and member states where political, cultural and linguistic rights have been weakened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When choosing between compromise or continued war, Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will need <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cgai.ca\/mediating_an_impasse_the_way_forward_in_ukraine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">to take tangible, measurable steps towards de-escalation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This would include an agreement to establish a ceasefire zone. A ceasefire could mean further efforts to reduce tensions, including a withdrawal of forces where possible, an increase in the number of crossing points across buffer zones and lines of contact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2022\/4\/1\/un-sending-top-official-to-moscow-to-seek-humanitarian-ceasefire-liveblog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">eliminating land mines<\/a> and returning people to their homelands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond this important first step, both sides must be prepared to agree on the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, where minority rights are respected and enforced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"eu-must-play-big-role-for-european-security\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">EU must play big role for European Security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/opinions\/will-ukraines-tragedy-spur-un-security-council-reform\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Some experts have argued<\/a> that Ukrainian sovereignty should be upheld by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unsdsn.org\/participants-of-the-science-and-ethics-of-happiness-study-group-call-on-religious-leaders-for-peace\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">five permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States)<\/a>, plus the European Union and Turkey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a tall order, given that Moscow perceives the U.S. as a key player in supporting a <a href=\"https:\/\/peacediplomacy.org\/2022\/01\/28\/the-russia-west-standoff-locked-into-war\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">proxy war in Ukraine<\/a>. That&#8217;s why the EU and the OSCE acting as intermediaries is crucial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A second step on the agenda must be negotiating the special status of territories <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-europe-60938544\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">currently under Russian control, including Donbas and Crimea<\/a>. Disputed claims over Crimea should include resolutions about shared resources, common commercial interests and the security of the Russian fleet at Sevastopol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/472987\/original\/file-20220707-24-tvr8ik.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"A sailor under the red-and-blue Russian flag salutes as another ship passes.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\n              <span class=\"caption\">A Russian sailor salutes from the bow of a missile cruiser Moskva, left, as a Russian patrol ship, right, moors in Sevastopol, Crimea, in March. The Moskva was the flagship of Russia&#8217;s Black Sea fleet in its war with Ukraine until it was sunk by Ukraine forces in April.<\/span><br>\n              <span class=\"attribution\"><span class=\"source\">(AP Photo\/Pavel Golovkin, File)<\/span><\/span><br>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A third step is to uphold safe and free access and mobility throughout the Black Sea, unimpeded by mines, blockades and embargoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Normalizing relations between Russia and Ukraine would bring regional stability through freedom of movement of people and goods. Without the local population seeing immediate tangible benefits, the protracted conflict will continue to erode any confidence they might have in any lasting settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"a-resolution-template-for-european-security\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A resolution template for European Security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In reaching these goals, the so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rferl.org\/a\/what-is-the-steinmeier-formula-and-did-zelenskiy-just-capitulate-to-moscow-\/30195593.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steinmeier formula<\/a> \u2014 the foundation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chathamhouse.org\/2020\/05\/minsk-conundrum-western-policy-and-russias-war-eastern-ukraine-0\/minsk-2-agreement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Minsk II protocols<\/a> \u2014 offers negotiators a template for the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A gradual reduction in tensions is possible if parties take a systematic approach that focuses on where there is likely to be agreement, including the aforementioned ceasefire and creation of buffer zones, before moving on to thornier issues like fixed borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, since the onset of the conflict in February, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/russia-west-ties-hit-low-with-diplomat-expulsions\/a-57396860\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">West&#8217;s diplomatic channels<\/a> with Moscow have been reduced to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-europe-61618907\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a few phone calls<\/a> between Macron, Scholz and Putin. The hardened positions of both sides has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2022\/05\/29\/1102002788\/ukraine-russia-summit-germany-france-putin-zelenskyy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">prevented any robust agreements<\/a> on humanitarian corridors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To avoid a frozen conflict \u2014 in which the fighting has ended but no peace treaty is in place \u2014 sanctions on Russia will need to be lifted according to its contribution to a constructive and lasting outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ukraine, on the other hand, must be convinced that a prolonged war will only diminish the prospects for long-term economic and political stability, with the likelihood of EU membership diminishing rapidly over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8212;<br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carleton Newsroom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/185680\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. All photos provided by The Conversation from various sources. The ongoing political and military standoff between Russia and the United States is the most recent indicator that Europe&#8217;s security and economic architecture must be transformed to harmonize European and Russian strategic interests. In [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":410,"featured_media":83506,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_story_type":[1623],"cu_story_tag":[],"class_list":["post-83501","cu_story","type-cu_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","cu_story_type-expert-perspectives"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":"blueprint"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/83501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/cu_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/410"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/83501\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":83517,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/83501\/revisions\/83517"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_story_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_type?post=83501"},{"taxonomy":"cu_story_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_tag?post=83501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}