The Russia Ukraine war has reached a point where the America led NATO has to recalibrate its approach towards the Russia Ukraine war. The war is telling upon the economic condition of European countries and the rest of the world minus America which is making money out of this crisis. India has been able to survive this crisis because of its bold decision of buying discounted Russian crude oil defying American sanctions against Russia. Such a strong political decision is not only difficult but comes with a cost. America gave a huge amount to Pakistan to upgrade its F 16s. It also helped her get out of FATF list which will pave the way for new financial assistance and investment in Pakistan. All these measures are meant to armtwist India for defying American diktat.
These are old tactics which would not work against modern India and present Indian leadership. Albeit, it might cost America dearly while executing Quad on the ground.
There is no option but to come to the negotiating table to find ways to end the war otherwise Russia will not backtrack and go for anything including the nuclear option to get a decisive victory. Can the world afford a nuclear war? Definitely not. Then, will America allow Ukraine to surrender only after one or two Ukrainian cities are bombarded with atom bomb? The proxy war America is waging against Russia can not be and should not be taken this far. This is high time to recalibrate the whole approach to this war.
The American and Russian defence ministers have talked twice over telephone in the last few days, which is a positive development in this direction. India has already said that it was not an age of war and Russia appeared to agree to it. America will have to stop stoking the war from behind. As a powerful nation, America must realise that no powerful nation will allow an enemy a base in its neighbourhood. Russian contention is not only logical but this is what is practised in real politics. A sizeable number of Democrat MPs wrote a letter to President Biden to reconsider his policy towards war, though it was withdrawn later. So, there is restlessness within the ruling party and pressure is building upon Biden. Recent surveys have shown that his popularity is going down day by day. The European nations are facing the heat of energy crisis and consequent inflationary trend in the market. It has started reflecting on the quality of their daily life. This is too much coming hot on the heels of the pandemic.
There has been a change of guard in the UK and the new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has rightly said that the economy was in a profound crisis and the topmost priority was to stabilize it. However, he also said that the UK would continue to support Ukraine as it had been. Both the goals cannot be achieved at the same time. Rethinking over policy towards war is a necessity and not a matter of choice.
There has been an important development in China where Xi Jinping has been given a third term as President of China. Xi Jinping is a known opponent of America and a friend of Russia. India may be on the opposite side of China but it is a friend of Russia. Therefore, it is not an opportune moment to take on Russia. Montgomery rightly said that, "Wise men never hesitate to retreat."
The writer is a noted academician and political commentator. The views expressed in the article are his own.