On August 20, 2025, Oleksandr Slyvchuk, Coordinator of the Spain and Latin America Cooperation Program at the Transatlantic Dialogue Center, provided a comprehensive analysis of Russia’s war against Ukraine to the Argentine media outlet El Prensero. Slyvchuk offered a critical perspective on proposals for a quick-fix peace, emphasizing that a sustainable resolution must address the fundamental reasons for Russia’s aggression and provide genuine long-term security. He stressed that while a swift end to hostilities is an understandable global aspiration, the path to peace is far more complex.
Slyvchuk challenged the notion that Russia invaded Ukraine for territory, explaining that Moscow’s initial assault on Kyiv proved its true goal was to eliminate Ukraine’s sovereignty. He cautioned against accepting proposals that involve ceding land, arguing that such a move would not bring a permanent end to the war. Instead, it would merely provide Russia with an “operational pause” to regroup and prepare for a future invasion. “A criminal who doesn’t face justice will repeat the crime,” he stated, underscoring the danger of rewarding aggression.
According to the TDC expert, a lasting peace requires more than just a ceasefire. Ukraine’s position is clear: any resolution must include justice for war crimes, the return of deported Ukrainian civilians, and substantial reconstruction funds. Most importantly, it must provide ironclad security guarantees to prevent future invasions.
Ultimately, Slyvchuk insisted that the war is not merely a regional issue but a direct challenge to the entire international order. He warned that if the world allows Russia to invade and annex a sovereign nation without consequence, it would set a dangerous precedent for authoritarian regimes everywhere. For this reason, he concluded that no decisions regarding Ukraine’s future can be made without Ukraine’s direct involvement at the negotiation table.
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