At the beginning of January, a group of people from our society called for negotiations with Russia. PAX does not support this call. Based on our contacts with partners, activists and other people in Ukraine, and the expertise of our staff, we have come to the conclusion that negotiating with a proven unreliable partner such as Russia will not yield any results at this point in time: international agreements concerning Ukraine and its borders have been violated (too) often. Furthermore, the Russian government and army are guilty of gross violations of human rights and the laws of war.
We do not have a homogeneous support base with a unanimous opinion on the solutions to this war. In fact, opinions vary widely. Some are pacifists on principle, while others call for more military support. It is our belief that these different perspectives can coexist and that more exchange and reflection on dilemmas and nuances will strengthen the peace movement. In the coming period, PAX will invite representatives of its supporters to engage in dialogue about the dilemmas of this war.
Protecting civilians
PAX’s position on arms supplies has not changed since the start of Russia’s open invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. The basic principle is and remains that Ukraine must be able to protect its civilians, and at present this is not possible without weapons. As a peace movement, we believe it is essential to take a critical look at this issue. Protecting civilians
PAX’s position on arms supplies has not changed since the start of the open Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. The starting point is and remains that Ukraine must be able to protect its citizens, and at present this is not possible without weapons. As a peace movement, we believe it is essential to critically examine which weapons are most effective in protecting civilians. Through our work in conflict areas, we are also fully aware that weapons alone are not enough to achieve peace: aggression must be stopped, but building peace is a long process that involves much more than just weapons.
(False) solutions
Following the invasion, several European countries decided to invest heavily (additionally) in their armed forces. However, an arms race adds little to security: the problem is not that Europe has too few weapons, but that Europe does not cooperate sufficiently in the field of defence. More weapons in the European Union would not have prevented this war. That is another reason why the Dutch government should not call for investment in arms manufacturers that also supply authoritarian regimes.
Solidarity with Ukraine consists not only of weapons, but also of humanitarian aid, reconstruction, expertise (including in the field of trauma counselling) and continuing to work on human rights and democracy, both at home and in Ukraine. For many Ukrainians, in addition to survival, this is precisely what their resistance is about: which weapons are most effective in protecting civilians. Through our work in conflict areas, we are also fully aware that weapons alone are not enough to bring about peace: aggression must be stopped, but building peace is a long process that involves much more than just weapons.
Diplomacy and negotiations
Diplomacy is also indispensable, both at this moment, for example in relation to the exchange of prisoners, and in order to ultimately reach an agreement that can form the beginning of peace. Unfortunately, negotiations alone will not stop the fighting. The Russian government has proven to be an unreliable negotiating partner, violating all international agreements made to date concerning Ukraine and its borders. The government and army are also guilty of gross violations of human rights and the laws of war.
There is therefore very little confidence in Ukraine (and many neighbouring countries, such as Moldova, Poland and the Baltic states) in any negotiation process that does not begin with the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. Because Russia does not operate within the international legal order, there is also no common framework for negotiations. PAX does not find calls for negotiation as a peaceful alternative to arms supplies convincing; we do not believe that this will protect Ukrainian lives. Above all, it is up to the Ukrainians themselves to decide when they are prepared to negotiate: they are fighting the war and experiencing the consequences of Russian aggression on a daily basis.
