Ukraine peace plan must address conflict's root causes: German expert

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 multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"