President Joe Biden greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prior to a bilateral exchange in Paris, France, June 7, 2024. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Alexander C. Kubitza)
In a lengthy interview, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, when asked about the Russians’ possible participation in a forthcoming peace conference, said: “If everyone wants them at the table [for negotiations], then we can’t be against it.” Admittedly, he had said earlier that he wanted them there “so that they don’t block us from preparing a joint plan”. But how could we fail to perceive that the possibility of Moscow’s participation in discussions, or even negotiations—I had reminded why the terms should not be confused—was not something the Ukrainian president ardently desired.
From the point of view of international law, it seems absurd that a nation whose government is made up of war criminals and criminals against humanity, as well as people guilty of genocide and the crime of aggression, should be allowed to negotiate anything at all, unless these criminals have first been tried. And no negotiation—for there is no such thing as mediation in the field of international justice—could lead to these crimes not being examined by a court of law.