On September 22, the Center Hromadska Vezha hosted a discussion with political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko on key international events. The main topic was the renewed focus on the Palestinian issue. The UK, Portugal, Canada, Australia and other countries recently declared recognition of Palestine as an independent state. This focus on the Middle East diverts attention from the Russia-Ukraine war, posing risks for Ukraine’s international priorities.
Fesenko emphasized that although the Middle East is now in the spotlight, the war in Ukraine remains critical to European and global security. The main challenge is the division in the Western world over the Palestinian question. Ukraine must maintain a delicate balance between its partners since leading countries are divided in support of Israel or Palestine.
Particular attention was given to French President Emmanuel Macron, who actively promotes Palestine’s recognition and pursues a distinctive policy towards China. Fesenko noted that France’s internal political situation shapes Macron’s international statements. Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing about increasing sanctions on Russia, but confiscating frozen Russian assets remains unresolved.
The conversation also covered US and EU policy towards China. For Europe, China is a key economic partner, and despite US calls for further sanctions, EU countries are reluctant to jeopardize ties with Beijing. Cooperation with China has a notable impact on resolving the Russia-Ukraine war.
Fesenko highlighted the idea of “freezing” the war as the only realistic scenario for ending the conflict. But neither the United States, China, nor Europe officially support this, though a plan for using Russian assets as collateral for reparations loans to Ukraine is under consideration.
Of interest are North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s remarks about meeting Trump, which is seen as part of a wider global diplomatic strategy involving the US, China, Russia, and North Korea.
The experts concluded that despite challenges, Western support for Ukraine remains central to Europe’s security. There is no real trend toward political rapprochement between Europe and China, although economic ties continue to grow. Resolving the war relies on balancing the interests of the US, EU, China, and Russia.
