Time for a ceasefire in Russian conflict

IN my view, as we move into the winter period, now is the time for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. If only because the conflict has reached a kind of stalemate, and fighting on in the war becomes more and more difficult in terms of achieving the goals of either side.

More importantly, though, the time given by the ceasefire would enable the main powers in the world of international relations, namely the UK, USA, France and Germany, to join with the near neighbours of Russia, India and China, to create a multilateral approach to negotiations for peace with the Ukraine and Russia.

As trade allies of Russia, India and China’s best interests, in particular, lie in seeking a peace agreement with the Russians.

China, in particular, whilst broadly in support of Russia in Ukraine, is firmly opposed to Putin’s Russia resorting to the nuclear threat to get its own way and is, in the final analysis, under the current regime, only prepared to support its interests through the prism of peace, and calls on all nations in the world to do likewise. The main hope must be that any ceasefire paves the way for a more permanent peace.

Jeremy Comerford

Wiltshire