A call for an international democratic movement against authoritarianism and neo-fascism

A particularly disturbing such 'peace' initiative has been issued by an Australian Professor Joseph Camilleri, together with Professors Richard Falk (US) and Chandra Muzaffar (Malaysia). Their 'Call' To all who care about Humanity's and the Planet's Future is directed at an international audience. They call for an immediate ceasefire, an 'end to the delivery of lethal military aid to Ukraine', a 'phased withdrawal of Russian military forces', a neutral Ukraine, and some kind of resolution of the status of Crimea and the Donbas down the track, which Russia would continue to occupy in the meantime. The 'Call' expresses no solidarity with Ukrainian resistance, depicts Ukrainians as manipulated by the United States, and does not defend Ukraine's right to decide its own economic and social future or join the European Union.

The effect of this scenario would be to consolidate Putin's illegal gains, allow him to rebuild his crumbling military forces, repair the Russian economy, and prepare for an inevitable resumption of the war in the future. This is well understood by the former Soviet vassal states who are vehemently opposing any such 'settlement'.

For the authors of the 'Call', the problem is not the trashing of the UN Charter, the proliferation of anti-democratic extremism, and the rise of 21st Century fascism, but a world in which the US wields too much geo-political power and influence. Many, particularly in the Global South, may well agree with this critique of US hegemony, but sacrificing the Ukrainian people and nation to achieve this geo-political outcome is surely a price too great to pay.

In Germany, Putin is actively facilitating a 'ceasefire' campaign, bringing together left- wing and far-right leaders and organisations. The ceasefire demanded by the 'Call' To all who care about Humanity's and the Planet's Future echoes what Putin wants and needs in Ukraine. It is nothing short of appeasement of blatant aggression and an implicit acquiescence to extremism. It reads like a 21st Century version of Neville Chamberlain's vain 1938 attempt to secure 'peace in our time' from Adolph Hitler.

A just and sustainable peace will not be secured by succumbing to Putin's aggression and the demands of extremists.

Oppose right-wing authoritarianism and neo-fascism

Everything possible should be done to enable the Ukrainians to recapture their illegally occupied territories and secure their 1991 borders and national sovereignty. The defeat of Putin's aggression is a precondition for a lasting settlement in Eastern Europe and for any possible social renewal and progressive future in Russia itself.

An international problem needs an international response. Instead of ignoring the fascist and reactionary nature of the Putin regime and assisting the Russian war effort, wittingly or unwittingly, what is needed is a broad international democratic movement against authoritarian extremism and neo-fascism, and in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.