Indian Peacekeepers for Ukraine

Russia could hardly accuse India of aggressive intent. Ukraine could hardly object to 15,000 Indian peacekeepers that gave it the chance to become the South Korea of Eastern Europe.

- TONY ABBOTT

Ending the bloodshed in Ukraine, without turning that brave country into a Russian colony, is among the very greatest challenges of contemporary statecraft. The only truly just result, the expulsion of every last Russian soldier from every inch of Ukrainian territory, is unlikely to eventuate because Ukraine's allies, from fear of nuclear escalation, won't provide the beleaguered country with sufficient quantities of the sophisticated weapons needed to overcome Russia's weight of numbers and materiel. Despite its remarkable and ingenious advances in drone technology and production, on its own, it's probably impossible for Ukraine to win, especially with the nuclear Sword of Damocles dangling over it, an option a dictator-on-the-verge-of-defeat might readily deploy.

It's becoming obvious that even the limited supply of weaponry, not enough to win but enough not-to-lose, that's hitherto been available, could be cut off by a US President craving a "deal", any deal, regardless of its long-term consequences for Ukraine's freedom and independence. Britain and Europe say they are prepared to step into the breach to keep supporting Ukraine; but allies that have long surrendered their ability to wage war on their own are unlikely to risk it without the American back-up that Donald Trump is unlikely to give.