Editorial: Ukraine reaches 3 years of age fighting for justice and a long -lasting peace

It has been three years since Russia has launched its invasion in Ukraine. As the war goes on, discussions on potential fire cease begin to appear. The world hopes that peace will come quickly. But peace cannot be forced on a smaller nation through a major power that bears the logic “could do it”.

Currently, Russia occupies about 20% of the Ukrainian territory. While Ukraine has launched cross -border attacks in the Kursk region of Western Russia and confiscated some areas, Russia’s dominance remains unchanged.

The human fee is amazing. Estimates suggest that over 70,000 soldiers died on each side, although the real numbers could be higher. In Ukraine, about 12,600 civilians lost their lives.

As destruction continues to develop, the public opinion in Ukraine seems to change. The polls indicate an increasing number of Ukrainians are open to the cessation of discussions.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to press with a strategy based on overwhelming mobilization of soldiers and resources. The government of President Vladimir Putin offers high salaries to rural residents to recruit them as volunteer soldiers for the first lines. The reports also suggest that a North Korean troops, a Russian ally, have been sent to the battlefield.

A cessation of fire without the voice of Ukraine?

The administration of former US president Joe Biden has strengthened sanctions against Russia and strengthened military aid for Ukraine, but failed to find a way to end the war.

Now, with both signs of exhaustion, US President Donald Trump has entered the center of attention, initiating peace discussions. He spoke with a little telephone and launched negotiations between old and Russian officials. However, Ukraine and European nations have been excluded. There is an increasing concern that Trump could conclude an agreement that respects Russia’s requirements, completely bypassing Ukraine.

According to the martial law, Ukraine postponed its presidential elections scheduled for last spring. Trump labeled President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator” and, aligned with Russia, asks for early elections.

However, the blame for this war is clearly with Moscow, who violated international law by invading Ukraine. Putin is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes.

Zelenskyy’s statement according to which it is unacceptable to decide the methods and terms of the conclusion of the war without the involvement of Ukraine is fully justified. European leaders also raised concerns about a hurry in an agreement.

Russia’s occupation should not be allowed to become permanent, and the security of Ukraine has to be guaranteed.

It is said that Putin houses ambitions to “restore the Russian Empire”. He intends to make Ukraine a vassal state and, even if the fire is ceased, the threat of reinvination cannot be rejected.

History has shown the dangers of the great powers that reduce the transactions in the return room to the detriment of the younger nations. The Pact of the Secret of the 1939 Soviet Union with Nazi Germany to divide Eastern Europe not to peace, but to World War II.

Russia’s aggression cannot be overlooked

After the Second World War, the International Community has established rules for compliance with national borders and prohibiting changes in the status quo. If this cessation of fire benefits from Russia, it would establish a dangerous precedent, canceling decades to illeg the war.

In Ukraine, both material and psychological devastation continue to fit. Over 2 million houses and facilities are believed to have been destroyed by Russian attacks. Infrastructure, including electrical installations, has been strongly damaged, and the large -scale presence of the field mines will prevent recovery.

The human cost is just as severe. About 6.9 million refugees fled the country, and another 3.7 million people were displaced internally.

“Peace for the sake of peace is meaningless,” said a 30 -year -old Ukrainian woman who came to Japan in June 2022. She added that peace must be aligned with international rules and that Russia, as an aggressor , must take responsibility.

The desire for the war to end rapidly is strong, but many Ukrainians believe that only a correct and durable peace is acceptable. Their desire should not be betrayed. The international community must press the US and Russia in order to gain a ceasefire that respects the international rules.

This is also a responsibility for Japan, who supported the “rule of law” and continued to support Kyiv from a concern that “today’s Ukraine could be Eastern Asia”.

Even if the fight stops, the scars have left the people of Ukraine, their hearts and their land will flow deeply. Regardless of how the negotiations on fire termination take place, the support sustained for Ukraine is essential.