Helga Zepp-Larouche, president and founder of German think tank Schiller Institute, emphasized that any "peace plan" for the Russia-Ukraine conflict must give profound consideration to the root causes of the conflict.
A U.S.-proposed 28-point "peace plan" was unveiled on Nov 20. Following its release, representatives from the United States, Ukraine and several European countries met in Geneva on Nov 23 to discuss the plan. Through discussions, the revised plan has been cut down to 19 points but not been made public, marking the latest shift in the ongoing diplomatic push to end the four-year-old war.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Zepp-Larouche identified the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as the fundamental cause triggering the conflict.
"Many people are well aware that Russia-Ukraine conflict is a consequence of NATO's eastward expansion and its deployment of offensive weapon systems around Russia. Russia's early warning time could be as short as five minutes. Russia has repeatedly stated this. From the perspective of Russia's national security, this is unacceptable," said Zepp-Larouche.
She said that the outbreak of the conflict involves profound factors including geopolitics, security concerns, and historical and cultural identity. NATO's eastward expansion, gradually approaching Russia, has intensified Russia's security apprehensions, particularly given NATO's actions in regions like the Middle East over recent decades that have plunged many countries into turmoil.
"Although NATO claims its original intention was peaceful, after the military interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and other countries, NATO's so-called 'peaceful conduct' becomes untenable," Zepp-Larouche said.
Zepp-Larouche said that Europe needs to change its mindset and resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict through diplomatic channels, rather than continuously increasing military and financial support to Ukraine as is currently happening, which does not contribute to conflict resolution.
"Overall, I think we need to achieve a transformation in the way of thinking in Europe, because wherever you look, whether it's Venezuela, the Middle East, or Ukraine, all these conflicts would become much easier to resolve if Western countries could change their mindset, turn to cooperation with Global South countries and the global majority, and return to diplomacy," she said.
Ukraine peace plan must address conflict's root causes: German expert
The United Nations human rights chief on Saturday called for all parties to return to the negotiating table to solve the differences as the tensions in the Middle East region keep intensifying after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on the day.
Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, made the appeal in a video address recorded in Switzerland’s Geneva. He stressed that instead of resolving differences, military attacks will only result in destruction and civilian casualties.
"I deplore the military strikes across Iran this morning by Israel and the United States of America, and the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran. As always, in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price. Bombs and missiles are not the way to resolve differences but only result in death, destruction, and human misery," he said.
He called on all parties to return to the negotiating table and stressed that negotiation is the only way to resolve differences.
"To avert these terrible consequences for civilians, I call for restraint and implore all parties to see reason, to de-escalate, and for a return to the 'negotiating table' where they had been actively seeking a solution only hours earlier. This is the only way durably to resolve the deep differences between states that exist," Turk said.
He underscored the importance of protecting civilians and warned that those who violate international law will be held accountable.
"I have already warned that failing to do so risks an even wider conflict that will inevitably lead to further senseless civilian deaths and destruction on a potentially unimaginable scale, not just in Iran but across the Middle East region. I remind all parties that international law with respect to armed conflict is very clear: the protection of civilians is paramount. Each and every actor involved needs to ensure compliance with these laws and violations of them must lead to accountability for those responsible," said Turk.
The United States and Israel on Saturday launched coordinated airstrikes against Iran, with the latter responding with a series of attacks on Israel and U.S. targets across the Middle East.
Increasing casualties are reported in Iran and other countries involved in the ongoing flare-up.
Iran's state media confirmed Sunday that its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Saturday.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society said that the strikes hit at least 24 of Iran's 31 provinces, with 201 deaths and 747 injuries reported so far.
UN calls for returning to negotiating table as U.S., Israel intensify attacks on Iran
