By Invitation | Russia and Ukraine

Jeffrey Sachs on why neutral countries should mediate between Russia and Ukraine

The American economist writes as part of a series debating the wisdom of peace negotiations

Image: Dan Williams

NEITHER RUSSIA nor Ukraine is likely to achieve a decisive military victory in their ongoing war: both sides have considerable room for deadly escalation. Ukraine and its Western allies have little chance of ousting Russia from Crimea and the Donbas region, while Russia has little chance of forcing Ukraine to surrender.  As Joe Biden noted in October, the spiral of escalation marks the first direct threat of “nuclear Armageddon” since the Cuban missile crisis 60 years ago.

From the January 21st 2023 edition

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