[Blog] A contribution to solving the problem in Ukraine and achieving peace

To President Donald Trump, to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, to President of France, PM of UK, PM of Italy, Chancellor of Germany, PM of Holland and to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, present in Washington today 18th August 2025. And to Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.

1. A call for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Negotiation and a referendum on self-determination to follow, leading to peace, security and reconstruction.

2. Join us in condemning war “as a tool of political action”. Instead let us use negotiation and where necessary arbitration, instead of missiles, tanks and bombs, hostages as “arguments”.

3. We therefore invite you to consider this proposal as a major tool for reaching an acceptable peace when you meet and start negotiations (with China/the European Union/UN/or other facilitators).

Based on the acceptance of the democratically elected government in Ukraine, to conduct a referendum (by UN for example) on self-determination by the people in Donbas, South Ukraine and Crimea, as to whether they wish to be:

• part of Ukraine,

• part of Russia,

• or become independent states (as per UN Charter for self-determination of people and nations).

Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian civilians and young Russian soldiers have been killed and massacred uselessly, not to say criminally since the invasion, and this number will double if war persists. So we call for an immediate ceasefire: stop firing, talk, both consider the requirements of the other side. Sign an agreement, a peace treaty. After a ceasefire, and a peace treaty, we can start the rebuilding of Ukraine, a destroyed country. We support the full resumption of production and export of cereals, grain and natural gas from Russia. Sanctions should end and free trade be re-established as soon as possible. Your actions will be an example of how to end that other war, between Palestine and Israel.

Dr Michael Atchia

Past UN Programme Director, Democracy Watch Mauritius

mklatchia@intnet.mu

18th August 2025