I don’t like Putin or what he has done to Ukraine. At the same time, I am sickened by the thought of a never-ending war to punish him, a conflict in which countless more Ukrainians and Russians will die. Talk of Armageddon alarms me. The further collapse of Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure depresses me — who will pay to rebuild that devastated land?
Here is my Peace Plan For Ukraine. If it is imperfect, feel free to suggest improvements.
1. Let Russia BUY all of Crimea, one-quarter of Donetsk, and one-quarter of Luhansk — at a high price based on the cost of the massive destruction Russian forces have unleashed. This will give Putin enough so he can claim victory, while Ukraine gets something in return. I believe Russia will never give up Crimea — it is an important symbol to the Russian people – a symbol of Russia’s greatness. I’m not saying Russia has a right to it. But they will hold onto it with a death grip. Regarding Donetsk and Luhansk, there are substantial numbers of Russian nationals in those regions — does Ukraine want all of them inside its gates? Cicero had a point about the enemy within.
2. All parties agree that the rest of Ukraine is united and forever independent of Russia.
3. All parties agree that Ukraine will not join NATO for at least twenty years.
4. Ukraine retains the right to sign individual defense treaties with any nation it chooses.
5. Ukraine retains the right to receive conventional weapons and training from any nation it chooses.
6. Ukraine retains the right to export grain via the Black Sea without obstruction.
7. Ukraine and Russia retain the right to apply for membership in the European Union.
8. All prisoners of war and all displaced persons will be returned immediately.
9. Ukraine gets peace. Russia gets peace. Europe steps back from the brink and comes in from the cold.
As with the United States and most of Europe, Russia’s roots are Judeo-Christian. Our peoples have much in common, including literature, art, music, science, and commerce. It is in our long-term interests that our societies work together. Putin will not be around forever. The mutual interests of our nations will be around for a very long time.
This current war pushes Russia away from the West and into China’s arms. Letting it continue is a strategic mistake of the highest order.
Murphy’s Law doesn’t always hold, but sometimes it grabs: anything that can go wrong will go wrong. What could go wrong in the land of Chernobyl, where four nuclear power plants operate? What could go wrong if an errant American-made missile hits the Kremlin, or if Russian generals defending Crimea find themselves outmaneuvered and reach for their tactical nukes? One wonders what advice Napoleon and Hitler would give, from their bunkers in Hell, to modern generals who discount the stubborn toughness of the Russian army.
Mr. Murphy, your gasoline truck is lost in Luhansk — please tell the driver to put out that cigarette.
By Steven J. Maricic
About the author
Steve Maricic grew up in Hudson County, NJ. Educated at Brown, Montclair State, and Rutgers. He’s been a teacher and a librarian all his life. He has written two novels. To save humanity, he wrote Mr. Lucky’s Favorite Poker Games. His latest novel, Defense Mechanism, is a story of suspense and psychology, murder and treason, love and betrayal.
Visit his websites: https://maricic.weebly.com/ and https:luckybearpoker.weebly.com
