With Putin one can "negotiate only on the ceasefire" and on the rules of the game to "prevent the conflict from escalating" but nothing else and it is not up to Europe to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Former Director General of the European Commission, Riccardo Perissich intervened in the confrontation on Russia and Ukraine between war and negotiations, organized by the reserved circuit promoted by Sasà Toriello, indicating in five points a kind of short code which we reproduce with the kind permission of the author and the editorial promoter and which constitutes a point of reference authoritative in the discussion of these days on the dramatic scenarios opened up by the Russian invasion.
Russia and Ukraine between war and negotiations: Perissich's 5 points
- We have neither the political nor the moral right to determine the degree of heroism of the people of Ukraine. We can only respect it and support whatever choice they make to the extent of our possibilities. Whether it's surrender, a compromise or resistance to the bitter end.
- Whatever the conclusion of the conflict on the ground, there is no room for negotiation with Putin on the European order. He has placed himself outside the civilized world and we cannot compromise on this. Even proposing such a negotiation would be a sign of yielding. So I agree with those who say that we must prepare for a long confrontation that can only be concluded with his defeat; that is, probably when the country slips out of his hands. This is what sanctions and all the other measures we have to take are for.
- The only possibly possible negotiations concern the conditions for the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, but Europe must not act as a mediator. It is up to the Ukrainians to say who should possibly mediate. After all, we are not mediators: we are clearly on one side.
- The other possible and desirable negotiation is the one we must carry out together with the NATO, assuming that Putin is available, in order to re-establish the rules of the game necessary to prevent the conflict from escalating.
- Ceterum, the unity found in NATO and in the EU is a precious asset to be defended and consolidated at all costs. We must follow up in Europe and with the USA on the priorities clearly indicated at the meeting of the European Council in Versailles: European defence, acceleration of the energy transition, redefinition of macroeconomic policy. With Scholz's turnaround and the now probable re-election of Macron, the conditions are there, but on all three points we must first consolidate a Franco-German agreement. Italy's job is to help bring it out.
