Don't fall into the little fascist's trap.

Negotiations with the kremlin are meaningles as long as the fascists think that they are in a position of strength.

Yesterday, Project Syndicate published an op-ed by Yuriy Gorodnichenko, Ilona Sologoub and me. The op-ed was also published, with PS approval, by Taipei Times 11 September

In the op-ed, we first refer back to an op-ed we wrote for Frivärld three years ago. In that op-ed we wrote

Putin has not given up his hopes to destroy Ukraine and restore Russia’s influence on the territories of the former Russian empire. To prevent another war, Russia must be decisively defeated and forced to abandon its imperial ambitions.

The kremlin has violated every treaty it has signed.

Source. Economists for Ukraine.

Unfortunately, the free world did not rise to the challenge. Thus, the little fascist in chief has not had any reason to change his ambitions. On the contrary, emboldened by Trump’s behaviour, he and the kremlin tries to sowe division among Ukraine’s allies by pretending to be open for negotiations but only on the kremlin’s terms. As we write in the PS op-ed, by stalling and making new demand he aims

to reduce international support for Ukraine and demobilize Ukrainian society by creating false hopes. If people start to believe there could soon be a cease-fire, they will also start to wonder whether Ukraine really needs more weapons deliveries, or whether they should bother joining the Ukrainian army.

There is no point in listening to what the kremlin says. It has violated every international treaty or agreement its representatives have signed. Therefore,

We are approaching the point with only two options. The first is for Russia to be defeated, which requires that the West impose harsher sanctions and meet Ukraine’s need for weapons. The second is a defeat for democracy, fulfilling Stalin’s and Putin’s dream of subduing Europe. In the first scenario, Europeans will need to sacrifice some of their welfare. In the second, they will lose it all.

If we want to give our children and grandchildren a fascist free future, the choice is easy.