Pages: (117-127 )
Abstract
Wars and violent conflicts have always been a constant part of
international politics, from the two world wars and the Cold
War to several other territorial wars such as the Korean,
Vietnam, and Iraqi wars, and more recently, the Russian
invasion of Ukraine, political power and non-negotiable
national interests have always led state to take up arms
against other states. This paper explored the remote and
immediate causes of the Russian invasion and highlighted the
complexities of negotiating a ceasefire in the short-term and a
settlement in the long-term. The paper argued that the
Russian invasion of Ukraine was essentially a battle between
Russia in the East and the US in the West, that is being
executed in Ukraine as the battle ground. It also argued that
negotiations in the conflict are stalling because Ukraine is
refusing to be intimidated by Russia into accepting a deal that
would not guarantee the future security of the Ukrainian state.
It was recommended that Ukraine should be allowed to
remain the 'driver's seat' in determining what deals to accept
or reject in the negotiations with Russia, if the peace that
would result from such negotiations would stand the test of
time
Keywords: Invasion, Conflict, Negotiation, Russia, Ukraine,