An effort to defuse the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine was presented by Indonesia’s defense minister on June 3rd during the Shangri-La Dialogue defence summit held in Singapore. This article explores the key highlights of Indonesia’s peace proposal, along with the background of the conflict and the role of United Nations and European Union in it.
Major Highlights of Shangri-La Dialogue Defence Summit
The summit was marked by Indonesia’s Peace Proposal which consisted of a plan addressing various elements of the conflict. The plan called for an Immediate Cessation of Hostilities between Russia and Ukraine in light of the severe economic and food supply repercussions the conflict has had on Asian nations. It suggested a Ceasefire at Present Positions so as to halt the fighting and minimize further casualties. Also, the proposal emphasized on the Establishment of Demilitarized Zones to be supervised by international observers and the United Nations peacekeeping forces. A UN-Organized Referendum was also proposed to gauge the aspirations of the people affected by the conflict.
Other Key Proposals and Aids
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a 12-point peace plan aimed at ending the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. This included a ceasefire, consideration of Russia’s security concerns, provision of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine among others. Contrary to this, the United States and Western allies have extended significant military assistance and aid to Ukraine post Russia’s invasion.
Understanding the Shangri-La Dialogue
Hosted annually by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Singapore, the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) serves as a platform for high-level discussions on security. Policymakers and defence authorities from across the region come together to deliberate on cooperative strategies and share insights.
The Russia-Ukraine Conflict: A Brief Overview
The roots of the conflict go back to Ukraine’s separation from the Soviet Union. Since then, both Russia and the West have been attempting to sway influence in the country in their respective favors. The contention escalated with Russia’s covert invasion and annexation of Crimea, a Ukrainian region with a significant ethnic Russian population, in 2014. Russia also supported pro-Russian separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, collectively referred to as the Donbas. In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine escalating the crisis to a global level.
The Underlying Causes and Consequences of the Conflict
The causes of the conflict are historical, geopolitical, and ideological. From Russia’s perspective, Ukraine falls within its sphere of influence. It is against Ukraine’s pro-Western outlook and aspirations to join NATO and the EU. On the other hand, Ukraine perceives Russia as a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The consequences of the conflict are profound and far-reaching, affecting global security, stability, prosperity, and human rights.
UPSC Civil Services Examination & Ukraine
The conflict has also been a topic of examination for civil services aspirants. A question from 2023 asked candidates regarding countries sharing a land border with Ukraine.