International Seminar on “Importance of Diplomacy in Conflict Resolution: The Current War between Russia and Ukraine” 

There is still no place for true diplomacy due to Western intervention

H.E. Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh said that at the moment there is no place for true diplomacy, as Western countries keep pumping Ukraine with razor-edge weapons, their diplomats vehemently demand Russian defeat in the battlefield calling upon Ukraine to fight till the last Ukrainian. He added, “As far as the contacts with the Ukrainian are concerned, we have never refused to talk, as evidenced from the meetings in Belarus and Turkiye. However, for these meetings to be fruitful, it requires a constructive position from Kiev which presently is nowhere in sight. Moreover, the Ukrainian patrons in Europe and the US seem to bar Kiev from having any substantive interaction with Moscow, which makes all the efforts futile”. He also said that, for Moscow, diplomacy has always been the first choice. Their doors remain open for all faithful efforts, but it needs more than one party to negotiate. It also requires an ability to conduct a respectful dialogue, to be open minded and responsive towards aspirations and sensitivity of the other side. but these prerequisites are absent. 

On 7 June 2022 the 4th CPS International Seminar on “Importance of Diplomacy in Conflict Resolution: The Current War between Russia and Ukraine” was held at North South University (NSU). The seminar was organized by Center for Peace Studies (CPS) of SIPG, NSU, Bangladesh.

The distinguished panelists were: H.E. Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy, H.E. Mustafa Osman Turan, Ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh, Ambassador Shahidul Haque, Professorial Fellow, SIPG, NSU & Former Foreign Secretary, Government of Bangladesh, Prof. Nicole Deitelhoff, Director, Leibniz Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), Germany., and Professor Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv, Professor in Security Studies, The Arctic University of Norway (UiT). Professor M. Ismail Hossain, Pro Vice-Chancellor of NSU chaired the session.  

H.E. Mustafa Osman Turan said that Turkiye supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and considers Russian aggression to be unlawful and a blatant violation of international law according to the Charter of the United Nations. Both warring parties are currently focused on military gains, but the end of the war and restoration of peace can only take place at the negotiation table. He also stated that we cannot give up on a diplomatic solution and emphasized the importance of multilateral efforts and a negotiated settlement in ending the war. He also stated that Turkiye does not seek any kind of peace, but rather a "fair peace" that will result in the complete restoration of Ukraine's territories. He also claimed that Turkiye's strategic cooperation with Ukraine and working connections with Russia put it in a unique position to mediate, and that both relationships should be maintained.

Prof. Dr. Nicole Deitelhoff stated that both parties need to make concessions to negotiate and end this conflict. The rationale for sanctions against Russia is to increase the cost of war and 

regulate the future behavior and resist such unlawful aggression. This war also affected the food security around the globe and wheat prices are skyrocketing and triggered a refugee crisis.  She also opined that it is not a special military operation rather a full-fledged war that is against international law and order.   

Professor Gunhild Hoogensen Gjrv stated that Russia invaded illegally but Ukraine is defending itself and diplomacy is difficult in such an unpredictable situation. She went on to say that prior to the war, diplomacy started on this issue, and Ukraine had been dealing with the conflict for the last eight years. She also stated that neither side is willing to compromise, so it will be interesting to see what diplomacy can accomplish and whether International Organizations can play a significant role.   

According to Ambassador Shahidul Haque, Russia views the war as one between Russia and the West - which could be a major cause of diplomacy failing in the context of this war. He went on to say that diplomacy has become a hostage in this battle, and that diplomacy has no place as long as the parties are just concerned with security matters. Diplomacy, he added, is the last hope because a peaceful settlement will not be achieved on the battlefield. According to him, the military industrial complex is winning as they are experimenting and selling new weapon systems to all the parties.

Academics, researchers, diplomats, journalists, and students were present at the seminar.