Is Diplomacy Still Possible Between Russia and The United States Over Ukraine Issue?

For the past two to three months, the world's media has focused on the Russia-Ukraine war. But one thing did not go viral as expected. And this is the prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia. Russia has released an American man who has been held captive for three years.

He is a former Navy. On the other hand, the United States has released a Russian citizen who has been imprisoned in the United States for 12 years. He was a Russian pilot.

Why is this an important event? This is because the exchange of prisoners comes at a time when the two countries are engaged in a fierce nerve war over the Ukraine issue. Russia beat Ukraine but failed to reach the goal.

Because the United States has provided Ukraine with sophisticated military equipment. Has trained intelligence, advice, and troops. As a result, Ukraine has achieved great success on the battlefield. The United States is also trying to put pressure on Russia in all possible ways.

But there is no sign of an end to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Russia is occupying one territory after another with full force. Sitting in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace talks is now a conditional matter.

He wants to return to the territories occupied by Russia. He also wants assurances that his sovereignty will not be harmed. He also demanded that those responsible for war crimes in Ukraine be held accountable.

On the other hand, President Vladimir Putin will also face various challenges inside Russia. He has carried out costly aggression in Ukraine. So he needs to achieve a positive result. Otherwise, his position will be very weak.

For the time being, there is no way open for a solution through peace talks between the two countries. So this war can last not just a few months but a few years. This could be a major factor in the development of Western diplomatic relations with Russia.

The West should sit at the negotiating table with Moscow based on what Russia is doing in Ukraine. Such a decision may be wrong for them. Because Russia can influence many things in the West.

Russia, for example, could play a key role in limiting the nuclear and missile capabilities of North Korea and Iran. In addition, the country could play a significant role in controlling greenhouse gas emissions in tackling climate change.

The exchange of prisoners is undoubtedly a good thing. But the hostile relations between Russia and the United States over the Ukraine issue cannot be a major obstacle in matters of mutual interest. Therefore, good diplomatic relations are needed to maintain such a cooperative relationship.

If you want to have a good diplomatic relationship, you don't have to work for your interests. The West's intentions in the Ukraine war must be limited. There is no talk of removing Putin from power. Putin is likely to face challenges at home. Maybe he can get depressed due to health reasons. So the West should move away from the position of removing Putin.

Russia has chosen this war on its own. They have suffered a lot economically and militarily. "We have no intention of using war to weaken Russia," said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Now America must maintain the truth of this statement. The most important thing for the United States now is to try to end the war quickly, while maintaining Ukraine's independence and sovereignty.

Continue the arms aid that Western countries are providing to Ukraine. At the same time refrain from direct participation in the war so as not to increase the scope and intensity of this war. NATO and the United States are not yet directly involved in the war, a fact that Russia must understand.

Diplomacy must be used as a tool of national security. It cannot be used as you wish. This is important in establishing diplomatic relations with Russia. Western should talk with Russia and need to start at the military and civilian levels.

Mutual misunderstandings must be reduced. There are still many areas for cooperation. Negotiations must continue to take advantage of these opportunities.

Perhaps as long as Putin remains in power, there is little chance of building a constructive relationship with the West. But at this point, the United States has no choice but to try to keep its relations with Russia afloat.