Russian aggression on Ukraine – Experts’ comments

It is not easy to comment on such a situation. Certainly at the moment it is necessary to refer to the lucid and clear speech of Ukrainian President Zelensky who addressed the people of the Russian Federation directly. It is imperative that we reverse course and unite to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels. Russians and Ukrainians can coexist peacefully as they have done so far with their differences. The West is united in this and so is the international community. If Putin does not take a decisive and immediate step backwards, the consequences for Everyone, Europe in primis, will be disastrous. At the moment the only solution is dialogue. The alternative would be a world conflict between nuclear powers which, with the means currently available, would be the most disastrous event in the history of our planet.

Valerio Mancini, Director of Research Centre, Rome Business School

Ukraine’s resilience is being tested by brutally aggressive actions of the Kremlin regime. As Ukrainian armed forces are fully capable of defending the nation, civil protection in Ukraine needs more resources and requires more effective state-run crisis communication amid Russian-led disinformation campaigns. In addition to political, diplomatic and military support for Ukraine, Estonia allocates financial resources in emergency aid to Ukraine to support people who have been forced to leave their homes.

Dmitri Teperik, Chief Executive, International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS), Estonia Programme Director “Resilient Ukraine”

It is without question what is happening in Ukraine currently is a great tragedy and a new dark chapter in Europe’s bloody history. Peace and dialogue should always take precedence over war and violence. However, these events serve to illustrate and prove the adage from Karl von Clausewitz that war is politics by other means. The problem being the price paid by innocents in the name of the politics that are being fought over. War brings out the worst in people and exposes raw emotions that dehumanize us. However, this tragedy is even a greater owing to the lost chances to avert it. From November 2021 there was the facade of diplomacy, but true diplomacy requires dialogue and not monologue. This has been a creeping crisis that has been building already for some years. Warnings have been given, for example by Professor Stephen Walt and others. The lessons of 2008 have been forgotten. It is our collective duty to learn to engage in genuine dialogue once more in this unstable world we live in, to discuss things that we may not agree with, to understand to end this current tragedy and prevent further ones.

Gregory Simons, Associate Professor, Uppsala University, Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies

We are witnessing fundamental violations of key OSCE and UN principles, guaranteeing the respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. These violations will have long-term adverse implications for peace, stability and security on our continent. The resolution of any disputes should take place through open dialogue and confidence-building steps, not through the use of force.

Lamberto Zannier, High Commissioner on National Minorities at the OSCE (2017-2020), Secretary General of the OSCE (2011-2017), Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Kosovo (2008-2011)

Russia’s aggression and invasion of Ukraine must be met with a united and decisive response from the outside world. It is time Putin pays the price for what he is causing. I believe that the strongest sanctions instruments must now be used and Russia must be completely isolated. In addition, the world must show its united support for Ukraine by providing war material and humanitarian aid.

Björn Söder, Member of Swedish Parliament, Member of Committee on Foreign Affairs, Member of the Party Board

I am almost speechless about the attack. For today’s international economic and political interacting to make societies better across national boundaries. this is a huge set-back. A new type of cold war between Russia and the West may result as a “new normal”. Next to the horrors of war taking place in Ukraine, sanctions and mistrust will hurt both sides. They will be worse for Russia in its rather one-sided dependency on energy revenues in their export portfolio, than for the West. In terms of energy, EU and EU countries’ struggle for independence of Russian oil and gas will be reinforced. Russia may over time suffer substantial economic losses and loose attractiveness as a reliable supplier of energy.  This is a bad day for Europe.

Ole Gunnar Austvik, Professor Dr. Philos, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Senior Fellow at John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Ukraine and our Ukrainian Members deserve our Solidarity in this grave situation. Their pursuit of democracy is related to their right to self-determination. Political interests must only be pursued on the basis of international law, and Ukraine’s border must be accepted.

Magnus Berntsson, President of the Assembly of European Regions

Russia’s aggression to Ukraine is threatening Peace at a global level and is an unacceptable deed against International law. The euroatalantic reaction must be adequate to the menace, therefore strong and quick. Obviously, doors must be kept open to diplomacy. But this means restoring the status quo ante, and the full sovereignty of Ukraine on Donbass. We cannot tolerate another Georgia, like in the 2008 war, or a puppet government in Ukraine, which is what Putin would like to pursue in his strategy, in my humble opinion. Russia has placed itself out of the International community. There is space for a u turn, but we have to be frank about this shameful breach which cannot be without consequences.

Alessio Postiglione, Professor and Director at Rome Business School