Now that the Christmas food has settled, some of my thoughts have also settled. I am thinking about 1991 when the Soviet Union chose to dissolve itself and the subsequent actions taken by Western leaders.

At the bottom of the page I have reprinted an article that contains a draft of a possible peace agreement.

It was a pivotal time for the Russian people, and at the same time, optimism was high in the West because there was a thaw in the conflict between East and West, between communism and capitalism. Russia and the former states of the Soviet Union were in a new and unknown situation. In this very special time for Russia, President Yeltsin said that we must get some capitalists. In addition to trying to create some capitalists, the government chose to issue vouchers that could be invested in companies.

This must be said to be one of the largest and most extensive privatization attempts ever made in world history. The population did not quite understand what the goal was with these “securities” that could be exchanged for shares. This resulted in many forward-thinking future capitalists buying these “options” cheaply, and then investing heavily in Russian companies. Just like here in the West, those with the best political contacts and contacts to the capital market got the best companies that dealt with natural resources.

Imagine that a country that has been communist and where companies were state-owned could be transformed so quickly into a relatively ordinary capitalist and democratic society. This was nothing less than a sensation that several authors and Russia experts have also written about. Although there were also strange and violent transactions and battles over several companies. This could hardly be avoided.

This was a new time in Europe, and countries were euphoric and significantly downgraded their defense budgets. Russia wanted to approach both NATO and the EU, but in short, they were given the cold shoulder.

There were no democratic or legitimate reasons that could explain this blunt rejection of Russia’s wishes.

The most logical explanation was probably power. Several states would lose power and status if Russia became a member of NATO and the EU. Is it this Western arrogance, with the US at the forefront, that we are paying the price for today? I have no doubt.

Have you thought about how many resources we have used to fight communism? And when communism was finally defeated in the Soviet Union, we chose to isolate the Russian population from our organizations again.

This is indicative of our inability to reconcile with Russian culture and language. This probably stems from the fact that this continent, due to communism, has been so far removed from our “civilization.”

Everything I work with is based on and with the people in the countries we are talking about or trying to understand in mind. I want both the Russian and Ukrainian people to have a normal future in Europe on an equal footing with all of us. The focus is on people, while leaders and presidents come and go, countries remain the starting point.

I do not look at who is the leader of a country, but rather try to focus on what the people and the individual want. We cannot solve the challenges these countries and people face without also knowing the needs, desires, and thoughts of the individual about the future.

At the business school, they said we should not intervene more deeply in the client organization than necessary to solve the specific task. This was also a very important lesson. But since countries and leaders have chosen not to intervene at all in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, I have to write some rules and reflect from a holistic perspective on the countries, states, and people who are deeply affected by the policy pursued or the lack thereof. There is no doubt that someone must try to mediate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

My good friend and chairman of the shipping association for fishing vessels and “who is no longer among us and who has been to countless fisheries negotiations with Russia, told me that the Russians are a master race and that we must remember to treat them well and cooperate with them in every way.

It is often argued that Russians are a master race, and this was expressed in the former Soviet Union. That’s probably true. But it’s quite normal for there to be “master races” around the world. The Romans were once a master race, the Germans presented themselves as a master race and spoke of the Aryan race. The English, French, Dutch, Spaniards, and others have acted as if they were a master race over their colonies. Just as Denmark also presents itself or has presented itself as a master race over Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which are their “colonies” or in a kingdom together.

It is not unusual for states to feel elevated over other states, civilizations, or populations. The United States is a good example; they feel like the world’s police and in many ways see themselves as cowboys riding into town and saving the town from gangsters, shooting wildly around them, and trying to create control. But isn’t it often the case that it ends in more chaos and anarchy?

I don’t know, but taking on the role of a master race all over the world seems a bit strange. That’s why we see that the BRICS countries are increasing, and it may lead to the dollar being significantly weakened as the world’s “main currency.”

I believe that the Russian leadership would like to control the border states, but as several media outlets have highlighted, I do not believe that they would attack, for example, the Baltic states. It is far from having a wish and a dream and then intervening militarily in NATO countries. Therefore, these foolish statements that are regularly made must stop. But of course, we must have an appropriate defense.

With Ukraine, it is entirely different, and the American ambassador to Moscow also demonstrated this in connection with the Soviet Union.” “dissolved itself. James Baker was also afraid that war could arise if Ukraine “separated” from the Soviet Union / Russia and became independent.

Before the Russian annexation of Crimea, there were about half of the population who wanted close ties and trade with Russia, while the other half wanted closer cooperation to the West and the EU. Today, the situation has fundamentally changed.

But in the back of my mind, the thought still lingers that everything would be different if we had shown greater accommodation when Russia wanted closer cooperation with NATO and the EU. Whether we like it or not, Russia feels surrounded by unfriendly nations. It is no use talking about rule-based democracy if one believes that some states have rights by virtue of their size and military capabilities, so that they can crush smaller states or the countries they are allied with. When, for example, the US does not want foreign military bases at their borders, one cannot expect other countries to accept that foreign states establish bases close to their borders. As I have said before, I believe that the only sensible path to peace and stability in Europe is through cooperation and interaction in all areas. All other strategies are doomed to fail.

It is only a sensible path to peace and stability in Europe, and it is through cooperation and interaction in all areas.

2024

In the coming year, we will see Ukraine receive more military aid packages, missiles, ammunition, defense systems, aircraft, and more. On the other hand, we will see Russia significantly ramping up its military. So there is also the prospect of fighting in 2024.

If Russia makes progress on the battlefield in Ukraine, with their vast resources, we will see more spectacular military operations from Ukraine, whether on land, sea, or air. I also think that there may be talk of particularly deep military operations.

As I have pointed out several times, someone must step up and try to “mediate between the parties, and it is obvious to do so in Istanbul. I will now conclude by wishing the Ukrainian and Russian people a brighter future in the new year, and with the hope that world leaders will try to create peace and reconciliation between the brotherly people.

It is obvious that the countries below talk to each other and get the upcoming peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine going.

Possible peace negotiations in Istanbul 2024.”

A comprehensive peace agreement

We propose that the peace negotiations should include the following points:

The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant will become a demilitarized zone. This will reduce the risk of a nuclear disaster in the event of further armed clashes.

Rosselkhozbank gets access to the international payment system Swift. This will facilitate trade and economic cooperation between Russia and the rest of the world.

Russian cargo ships will have better access to European ports and the international insurance system. This will promote maritime transport and security in the Black and Baltic Seas.

The pipeline for ammonia gas is reopened. This will benefit agriculture and the environment in both Russia and Ukraine6.

Ukraine will once again be able to export grain from its ports, including shipping facilities in Crimea. This will strengthen the Ukrainian economy and food security.

Maritime mine clearance tasks are initiated. This will remove the dangerous mines in the Black Sea that threaten shipping and fishing in the Sea of Azov.

Russia recognizes Ukraine’s borders and sovereignty (except Crimea, whose future status is being negotiated). This will respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and international law.

Work continues on a strategy for future coexistence on the Crimean peninsula. This will take into account the different ethnic, religious and cultural groups that live on the peninsula.

Compensation must be provided to Ukraine for the damage caused by the war. This will help rebuild the infrastructure, healthcare and education system in the affected areas.

Ukraine undertakes not to have foreign troops on Ukrainian soil in peacetime. (With the exception of military advisers)

Ukraine undertakes not to have nuclear weapons in the country or its sea area.

Humanitarian aid must be provided to the civilians in Ukraine.

International security guarantees must be introduced for Ukraine, protecting the country from future aggression.

Efforts must be made to prevent a resurgence of the conflict. This will involve effective monitoring of the ceasefire, a humanitarian corridor for civilians in Donbas, an international investigation into war crimes committed during the conflict, an exchange of prisoners of war, a ban on the development and use of nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe, and strengthening dialogue and trust between the two countries.

Minority rights in Ukraine are laid down, language, culture, education and working conditions, etc. This will ensure that all citizens of Ukraine have equal opportunities and protection regardless of their background.

Self-government for Donbas within the borders of Ukraine. This will recognize the special needs and wishes of the people of the eastern regions while remaining part of the Ukrainian state.

Possibly a dual citizenship scheme for residents of Donbas and other areas. This will allow them to maintain their cultural and familial ties to Russia while enjoying the benefits that come with Ukrainian citizenship.

Any leasing agreements on the Crimean Peninsula. This would involve Russia leasing the military base in Sevastopol, an airbase on the Crimean Peninsula and a tourist area on the Crimean Peninsula that would be accessible to both Russian and Ukrainian citizens. All facilities in the leased area, including ports, tourist areas and other recreational sites, will be open to both Russian and Ukrainian visitors. This agreement does not imply a change in official views on the status of the Crimean Peninsula, but serves as a temporary arrangement to facilitate cooperation and avoid further conflict.

A new European security structure is being drawn up, and Russia will receive security guarantees at all its European borders, both on land, in the air and in sea areas. This will create a common security space in Europe, where all countries respect each other’s sovereignty and interests. Military exercises will not be carried out at borders and new extended flight zones for military aircraft will be introduced. “Military attack” equipment must not be placed close to the borders, some form of buffer zones must be established. Only ordinary border guarding at the borders of the countries.

Nord Stream 1 and 2 are re-established, and Germany and other countries undertake to buy natural gas and oil from Russia. This will ensure energy supply and diversification in Europe, as well as promote economic cooperation between Russia and the EU.

All sanctions against Russian business are lifted and Russian frozen assets are released. This will enable Russian companies to resume their normal activities in the global market and contribute to Russian economic growth.

The companies that have left Russia undertake, as far as possible, to re-establish their business and activity in the country for the benefit of the Russian people and the Russian economy. This will create jobs, innovation and development in Russia. Russia also undertakes to return frozen assets – nationalized companies to their owners.

A peaceful solution to the conflict over the Crimean Peninsula

We believe that this comprehensive peace agreement will benefit both Russia and Ukraine, as well as the whole of Europe and the world. We hope that the UN will take the initiative to organize the peace negotiations as soon as possible and support the parties in reaching a lasting peace.

We also call on the UN to continue working on a peaceful solution to the conflict over the status of the Crimean Peninsula. We recognize that this is a complex and sensitive issue that requires the broad involvement of all stakeholders. We propose that the UN set up a special commission to investigate the historical, legal, political and humanitarian aspects of the case and make recommendations for a future arrangement. This work can take place from a possible future peace center in Istanbul.