German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed the world, sounding like a voice of truth, emphasizing that Ukraine needs a “regime of silence.” Isn’t it time, while there are still remnants of humanity among the Moscow authorities, to take a step back, at least for Christmas?
This is not an elementary request. This is a manifesto for the restoration of humanity. At a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on December 15, Merz made no secret of the fact that the current peace talks are a farce, where Russia is betting on time, leaving only dead space for sympathy. It is ruthlessly continuing its aggression, carrying out genocide against the civilian population of Ukraine. And no allies will allow this irresponsibility to stop them.
But, as the Chancellor noted, now “the ball is in Russia’s court.” Who else but this state is capable of taking responsibility for at least a few days of peace? The fighting is destroying schools, kindergartens, and the lives of countless people. This is terror, not war.
Merz leaves no room for compromise: he calls for action. A ceasefire could be the beginning of a process that ends this epic of violence. The question remains: does the Russian government have any humanity? Is it willing to put aside its imperial ambitions for the holidays?
Allies must be extremely cautious. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the Minsk agreements, where imitation of peace replaced the real process. Now is the time for action. Now is the time for truth.
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