Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Diplomacy in Resolving the Russian Ukrainian Conflict in Donbas

Abstract

The author of the article examines the phenomenon of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in Donbas, the main trends in its development and resolution, the strategies of the parties in this process as well as miscalculations and achievements of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s diplomacy in gaining peace in Donbas and ending the war with Russia. The author underscores that the Russian-Ukrainian war in Donbas is not only the most acute all-Ukrainian problem but also a sore international issue, which calls into question the existence and survival of the Ukrainian state, the future of European security and the current world order. Seven years into the war, which is officially referred to as the ‘Russian-Ukrainian conflict’, no answer has been found on how to end it. The issues of ending the war against Russia, reimbursing the losses caused by it, establishing peace in Donbas, and returning the occupied territories of Ukraine are the most significant in the foreign policy of President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy. Yet, the diplomatic strategy he chose has not so far provided the definitive answer to this question, whose solution is expected by Ukrainian citizens both in the liberated and Russian-occupied territories of Donbas. The international community, including its security organisations, does not have a clear and unambiguous answer to this question as well. This article is a certain attempt to analyse the efforts of V. Zelenskyy’s diplomacy to resolve this security problem over the last two years of his presidency. According to the author, the search for alternative ways to achieve peace has not brought the desired results this year. Therefore, Ukraine has only one choice – to recognise the Russian-Ukrainian war as a reality and to be ready for Russia’s large-scale military aggression at any moment. Keywords: Russian-Ukrainian conflict, diplomacy, Normandy format, Minsk process, ‘Yermak plan’, election, strategies of the parties, war, peace, ‘Steinmeier formula’.