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  • Edition 2023
Order Press
2023
2023

Peace Is a Long Way Off

peace report

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statement

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The global ramifications of Russia’s war on Ukraine, now into its second year, are becoming increasingly evident. The conflict is undermining the ability of international organizations to function effectively and is complicating urgently needed cooperation in policy fields such as climate protection and trade. In Germany, too, polarization and conspiracy stories are on the increase – bringing negative consequences for democracy in their wake. What would most certainly not result in peace, however, would be to stop supporting Ukraine, discontinue arms shipments, and appease the Russian aggressor.

Recommendations
Ensure continued support for Ukraine

Arms shipments and military training assistance are still needed to enable Ukraine to defend itself and to restore international law. As things stand, the path to lasting peace does not lie in a policy of appeasing the aggressor.

Work towards negotiations, but not at any price

Now is the time to work towards negotiations. Any future international negotiation plan must learn from the failure of the Minsk process and be coupled with on substantial security guarantees for Ukraine.

Credible feminist foreign policy in specific cases

Solidarity with the protesters in Iran must translate into tougher sanctions against Tehran that are based on a consistent set of values. Should this not be the case, the reasons for this must be transparent.

Impose sanctions on the Wagner Group

Not only is the Wagner Group active in Russia, they have also destabilized international peace efforts in the Sahel region. The German government must classify the Wagner Group as a criminal organization. Known members of the Wagner Group must be placed on sanctions and wanted lists.

No military logic for civilian assistance

Humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and peacebuilding are inherently connected. We must not allow this nexus to be monopolized by security policy in the context of international interventions; it is also important to ensure that humanitarian aid is not tied to political considerations.

Maintain the focus on arms control

While substantial disarmament is unlikely at the moment, arms control efforts still have to be sustained. Aspects such as crisis communication and maintaining secure command and control structures require special attention if conflict escalation resulting from misconceptions is to be prevented.

Integration does not guarantee peace but can support it

Extensive disengagement between Western states and China is counterproductive when it comes to peacebuilding and reduces the scope for political influence.

Do not criminalize political protest

Political protests are an expression of democratic vitality, provided that they are not used to convey extremist messages and that they remain peaceful. More stringent criminal law, preventive detention, and defamation are not suitable responses to civil disobedience.

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