Diplomacy Matters

Without it, violence is inevitable

[Image: Yanis Varoufakis during his first public appearance following the attack upon him.]

Published 2023-03-21

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Geopolitical Movement

The geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts which are occurring are changing our world. A recent article at MoonOfAlabama documents many of them.

China recently issued a proposal to reach a political accord to end the war in Ukraine. The USA scoffed at the idea. Given the state of the conflict in Ukraine and the difference of Russia's and NATO's logistics the USA's rejection is a declaration of their intent for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to be defeated or rebel against their own leadership.

Russia has military "escalation dominance" on its border. The USA regime's rejection of a peace plan declares their position to "fight to the last Ukrainian" as already stated by USA Senator Lindsey Graham.

The rejection by a plurality of states to join the USA call for economic sanctions against Russia was echoed in an event in Moscow, titled "Africa in a Multi-polar World". Russian Federation President Putin gave an address to the gathering.

Preceding the visit to Moscow by a large delegation of Chinese officials, including President Xi, two cross-nation publications were issued by national news agencies. These two announcements differ to accommodate differences in their peoples' languages, but their message is unified. The message is that their existing political, economic, diplomatic, cultural and military ties will continue to grow.

The China-Russia bond has been created by the USA, its NATO alliance and their military and economic pressure. The two nations, driven together, have used their state media to announce messages of their two leaders to their friends.

During the three day visit one can expect many discussions between leading officials, the outcomes of which we may learn over the coming days. Keep your eyes peeled for a publication from Mr. Escobar.

Please excuse me in referring, again, to comments made by former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Knessl. It is the friendly welcome and diplomacy which enables this connection between Russia and China across a wide difference in language, culture, and cuisine. Perhaps, contrast the meeting between USA President Biden and Putin in Vienna with what one can expect of the Chinese presidential visit to Moscow.

Reports indicate that the initial discussions between the presidents will occur behind closed doors, which is entirely appropriate. Meanwhile one can expect a flurry of organized, planned meetings occurring between leading officials and their counterparts; exchanges of views on desired outcomes. Following these discussions official statements will be issued. The two presidents are most likely to appear before a media event which will gift journalists with soundbites and imagery. That which has already occurred is diplomacy.

Diplomacy or Not?

At a restaurant in Athens, the DiEM25 pan-European political organisation held a dinner to conclude their annual physical meeting. Into the restaurant marched some thugs. Yanis Varoufakis, a former Greek Minister for Economics and a founding member of the group left their table to meet the agitators, to converse, to discuss, to attempt to calm tensions. He was attacked, pushed to the ground and kicked in the face having his nose broken and receiving fractures to his cheeks.

Recently 57 Greek persons, mostly students, were killed in a railway collision between a passenger train and another train using the same line at once. At Mr. Varoufakis' first public appearance after the despicable attack upon him he called again for economic reforms. The imposed policy of austerity had contributed to the 57 deaths caused by the train accident. He gave thanks to the doctors and nurses of the Greek hospital who had performed wonders assisting him.

Diplomacy is fundamental.

Without it, how can we converse? How can we resolve differences? Without it, violence is likely, which never resolves the underlying challenge, promoting further violence.

Sources

Geopolitical Rumblings Leave U.S. Behind, b., MoonOfAlabama, 2023-03-20

China's President Xi Jinping meets with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to discuss plan for peace in Ukraine, Jacqueline Howard, ABC (Australia), 2023-03-20

Putin Tells Xi He Will Discuss China’s Peace Proposal for Ukraine, Dave DeCamp, Antiwar, 2023-03-20

International Parliamentary Conference Russia – Africa in a Multipolar World, Kremlin, 2023-03-20

A shocking and invigorating meeting of DiEM25’s Coordinating Collective, Julijana Zita, DiEM25, 2023-03-17

After Brutal Assault, Yanis Varoufakis Urges Progressives to Focus on 'What Really Matters', Brett Wilkins, Common Dreams, 2023-03-15

Xi Jinping In Moscow - Racing Towards a Multipolar World, Regis Tremblay interviews Prof. Diesen, Global Converations, 2023-03-21

Xi Jinping, multipolar order is unstoppable. Pavel, Ukraine one last chance. Legion of Doom. U/1, Alex Christoforou, 2023-03-21

Chinese Premier Arrives In Moscow Calling For "Unfading Friendship" and "Genuine Multipolarity", iEarlGrey, 2023-03-20

War or Peace? Mary Kostakidis & Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, Consortium News, 2023-03-20

• This source is tangential to the article, and the local audio is attrocious. But, Wilkerson’s forthrightness caught my attention.

Culture

Waiting On An Angel, Ben Harper (from his debut album "Welcome to the Cruel World”), his youtube account, uploaded 2017-07-27

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