pathways to peace in Ukraine, and Beyond

Dear President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and all other world leaders and fellow human beings, I write this as a Russian-Australian dual-citizen and sentient human being. This is a plea to you, to end this conflict, to use all your power to end all military conflicts, and to start the process of designing a fair and just new world order for all that respects human dignity and our collective custodianship of the Earth. Please, listen deeply to this. No one is paying me to do this, and I am not beholden to any financial or other vested interests. All I can do is hope that putting this out there will start the level of change required for our civilization to move past militarism and climate change, and towards transparently considering the pathways for how we will collectively govern the world in this millennium.

We are again divided by a bipolar world order, the dangers of which you and many European leaders and political scientists have warned about for many years. Nonetheless, the leadership of the collective West did not listen to you, at a horrifying cost to the Ukrainian and Russian people. I now feel that I am to some degree complicit in this, as I’ve spent several months deliberating on the content of this paper, and I did this so that I have the best opportunity to be heard, and taken seriously without compromising authenticity. I also believe that it's likely that some combination of governments and/or artificial intelligence have been surveilling my communications, and I suspect they’ve likely been using the content of my conversations, which have often been critical or speculative about international developments. For these reasons, I would like to refer myself to the International Court of Justice for war crimes, because I could have sent it earlier, and to lead by example for those who share a greater responsibility for the unimaginable pain and consequences of this conflict. However now, the deaths of countless Ukrainian and Russian people are on my conscience. 

How the conflict in Ukraine got to this point

The conflict in eastern Ukraine is largely a consequence of Russia and EU exploiting cultural, linguistic and industrial divisions in Ukraine, seeking to one-up each other in a series of trade negotiations where both powers sought to offer Ukraine a better deal to bring it into its sphere of influence. It was also precipitated by the careless pursuit of the continuation of ‘gunboat diplomacy’ by the United States in its irresponsible exercising of its role as the sole superpower after the dissolution of the USSR, and through corrupting the elections of Russia and Ukraine. At its foundation though, this artificially induced atmosphere of competition by dishonest and selfish neoliberal institutions is a consequence of an exported ideology of profit above human dignity - neoliberalism, into Ukraine and Russia and around the world. Make no mistake, this is international, intergenerational and intragenerational intellectual and political fraud, which promoted neoliberalism through the media and education systems as the ‘correct’ economic theory. The fact that the ideological designers of this system (Milton Friedman and Freidrick Hayek) both advocated for the inclusion of a universal basic income (to ensure that no one ever fell below the poverty line) has rarely been mentioned outside of the various ivory towers is sufficient proof of this. Consequently we now have societies run by oligarchs, military-industrial complexes and other super-profit industries that have captured states, rather than the democratic or bureaucratic conceptions of the overarching public or national interest. This is relevant, because this model is exactly what put unimaginable pressure on successive governments in post-Soviet states, particularly Ukraine, resulting in continuous conflicts over gas imports from Russia, and contributing to the deterioration of the situation that has led what we now see - full scale war that seems to have no end.

Viktor Yanukovich was deposed because much of Ukraine did not want to have to pick between closer trade ties with Russia or the European Union, but when forced to choose - there were enough people closest to the temples of power in Ukraine who chose the EU, presumably because as Russia started applying pressure on them, and because of American interference. Some of these people, as in all major powers have sadly succumbed to the unfortunate conclusions of nationalism, and other forms of exceptionalism which in their eyes license hawkishness, military adventurism and entrench an us-vs-them mentality. Successive generations of European leaders have consistently tried to warn us about this, including Vladimir Putin, but no one listened to them. This has also resulted in the phenomenon of state capture of many states, including Australia by coal, gas and oil corporations, the military-industrial complex, the Pentagon, and the interests of the wealthiest people in Australia and around the world. Various international powers have exploited the weakness of former Soviet states for their own gain and at the expense of the public interest and their own people, and this has been a significant factor in escalating tensions over the last two decades (within and between former Soviet states).

It's time for a new era, where public and national interest are at the foundation of the purpose of our national governments and our international institutions such as the United Nations, instead of the profit motive. They must act in the overarching global public interest, and in the interest of all sentient life and ecosystems on our planet.

Pathway to peace in Ukraine 1

1. Ceasefire and withdrawal of all non-UN military forces beyond the borders of Donetsk,

Lukhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and 50km from the nearest state border.

2. Introduction of a United Nations peacekeeping and reconstruction mission in each

region. Peacekeeper forces should be composed of persons from areas which have

expressed a degree of neutrality in the conflict and/or a willingness to resolve it

(Australia, India, China, Brazil, African Union, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia), with

several persons from Russia and Ukraine in each group. This is to prevent tension,

redevelopment of conflict and potential reprisal attacks.

3. International aid package for the reconstruction of above regions except for Crimea. to

be distributed under UN coordination.

4. Conducting a UN administered and verified referendum in each aforementioned region,

as well as Crimea with each of the following questions in preferential order:

Which state should <<Region>> be a part of

1. Autonomous Independent State

2. Republic of Ukraine

3. Russian Federation

5. Refugees and asylum seekers from these regions should have an opportunity to vote

in these referendums at voting centers under UN coordination.

6. Guaranteed security as well as language and cultural rights for all Russians and Russian

speakers in Ukraine, and around the world, and respect for the “Russian World” outside

of Russia

7. Decolonisation of the International Criminal Court, and all other international institutions.

8. Accession of Russia and USA into the International Court, and commencement of trials

of myself, Putin, Bush Jr, Blair, Howard and many others for war crimes.

9. Accession of Ukraine and eventually Russia into the EU, if the people of EU and Russia

so wish.

Pathway to peace in Ukraine 2

1. Ceasefire and withdrawal of all non-UN military forces beyond the borders of Donetsk, Lukhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and 50km from the nearest state border.

2. Introduction of a United Nations peacekeeping and reconstruction mission in each region. Peacekeeper forces should be composed of persons from areas which have expressed a degree of neutrality in the conflict and/or a willingness to resolve it (Australia, India, China, Brazil, African Union, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia), with several persons from Russia and Ukraine in each group. This is to prevent tension, redevelopment of conflict and potential reprisal attacks.

3. International aid package for the reconstruction of above regions except for Crimea. to be distributed under UN coordination.

4. Return of all pre-2013 territories to Ukraine, including Crimea and subsequently

a. A guarantee from Ukraine to allow an internationally observed referendum on

Crimean independence, retention within Ukraine or accession to Russia

5. Guaranteed security as well as language and cultural rights for all Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine, and around the world, and respect for the “Russian World” outside of Russia

6. Decolonisation of the International Criminal Court, and all other international institutions.

7. Accession of Russia and USA into the International Court, and commencement of trials of myself, Putin, Bush Jr, Blair, Howard and many others for war crimes.

8. Accession of Ukraine and eventually Russia into the EU, if the people of EU and Russia so wish.

Pathway to peace in Ukraine 3

1. Ceasefire and withdrawal of all non-UN military forces beyond the borders of Donetsk, Lukhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and 50km from the nearest state border.

2. Introduction of a United Nations peacekeeping and reconstruction mission in each region. Peacekeeper forces should be composed of persons from areas which have expressed a degree of neutrality in the conflict and/or a willingness to resolve it (Australia, India, China, Brazil, African Union, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia), with several persons from Russia and Ukraine in each group. This is to prevent tension, redevelopment of conflict and potential reprisal attacks.

3. International aid package for the reconstruction of above regions except for Crimea to be distributed under UN coordination.

4. A Good Friday style agreement between the governments of Ukraine, Russia as well as

Donetsk, Lukhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, following UN observed elections in those regions.

5. Guaranteed security as well as language and cultural rights for all Russians and Russian

speakers in Ukraine, and around the world, and respect for the “Russian World” outside of Russia

6. Decolonisation of the International Criminal Court, and all other international institutions.

7. Accession of Russia and USA into the International Court, and commencement of trials of myself, Putin, Bush Jr, Blair, Howard and many others for war crimes.

8. Accession of Ukraine and eventually Russia into the EU, if the people of EU and Russia so wish.

A pathway towards a World Order of Mutually Assured Cooperation and Prosperity

1) A new global compact between generations, and a social covenant between governments and the governed, as expressed by the representative of Gabon at a recent United Nations Security Council meeting chaired by Russia

2) Genuine, inclusive, multilateralism, and an international commitment to the respect of all people, including all cultures, genders, abilities, and religions (as long as they don’t harm others)

3) Eventual disbanding of all regional military blocs, including NATO, SCO and AUKUS

4) Reform of the UN Security Council involving;

a) A spokescouncil model enabling the appointment of a member by consensus

within a supranational union or

b) Election of members within supranational or regional unions or

c) Another model

5) Repurposing and optimisation of all armed forces for

a) Disaster preparation and relief

b) Distribution of humanitarian aid

c) Provision of access to basic needs such as but not limited to clean water, fresh

and healthy food and food systems, sanitation systems

6) Phased de-lethalisation of all armed forces

7) Gradual transfer of control of armed forces from states and military blocs to the consensus position of the United Nations General Assembly

8) Relinquishment of all nuclear weapons to the control of the consensus position of the UN General Assembly, with their only purpose being for the collective security of our planet, such as against asteroid and comet impacts

9) UN peacekeeping interventions within a state’s internal affairs for the purposes of exercising the Responsibility to Protect should require consensus, excluding the state itself

10) Each instance of a peacekeeping intervention requires an Special General Assembly Meeting lasting a minimum of 24 hours

11) If a General Assembly consensus isn’t reached, the decision is delegated to the consensus of the supranational union (like the European or the African Union) that the state is a part of

12) If the state is not a part of a supranational union, the decision is delegated to the consensus of the regional union the state is a part of

13) Three joint sittings of the United Nations General Assembly, Parliament of World Religions and the Universal forum of Cultures to discuss The Global Ethic and a New World Order near Uluru or another location, should First Nations people give their consent

Our planet is experiencing a collection of existential risks the gravity of which we’ve never seen before. The cataclysmic effects of climate change that we already experience, the emergence and risks of Artificial Intelligence and the re-emergence of dehumanizing ideologies. I can only hope that after reading this that there will be a renewed and greater impetus to double our efforts in establishing a new era for human civilisation, one of peace, stability, equity, demilitarization and decarbonisation, between all states, religions and cultures and peoples.

None of us chose the location or circumstances of our birth. This in my view is the logical conclusion of one of the most influential political philosophers of the 20th century - John Rawls, stemming from his writings on the Veil of Ignorance and the Original Position. The implication of this, is that those of us with greater means and capacities have a greater responsibility to act on the contents of this article.

I hope that all those reading this will in their way help create stronger international impetus to pursue pathways to peace in Ukraine, and collaborate to further our collective coexistence.

Other principles:

- A global renewal of leadership, and a commitment from leaders to listen deeply to our

youth, and marginalized people, and include them in decision making at every level of

power

- A gradual and peaceful transfer of power in Russia, with Vladimir Putin occupying an

advisory role after his resignation whenever it occurs, with a focus on decarbonisation

- Coordinated and rapid investment into ensuring that Ukraine becomes a leader in economic and living standards in Europe within the next 5 years, and accession of Ukraine, and hopefully and eventually Russia into the European Union.

- Human rights must be respected everywhere, as articulated by the UNDHR

- Reform of the global financial system, to demonopolize it, and ensure that it functions in the public interest of all countries, and in the overarching global public interest rather than for the profit motive

- A shift in focus towards development in Africa, South America, Eastern Europe and Asia

- Australia, one of the most multicultural countries in the world must be observed and listened to, and Australia needs to maximally leverage its multiculturalism in its foreign policy to enhance its diplomatic capacity and serve as a space for proactive conflict resolution between states around the world

- Release, exchange and repatriation of all national and international political prisoners such as Julian Assange, Evan Gershkovich, Edward Snowden, etc

- All peoples everywhere are entitled to basic rights, including access to universal housing, clean drinking water, food, above-poverty-line basic income, tertiary education, comprehensive healthcare including dental and mental health as well as prosthetics, childcare, aged care, support for single parents, employment, cognitive freedom, freedom of conscience, freedom of speech - with reasonable limits, freedom of movement, restorative justice pathways for all including for serious criminals.

- Invest in Russian and other rocketry and technology to collect all the space junk so we don’t block out the atmosphere

- The world’s financial systems should forgive the personal debts of all colonized nations, and all people living in poverty and on low incomes

- Invest the stagnant cash in our financial systems into pro-social ventures, and improving the life outcomes for marginalized people, and people in poverty

- Be more tolerant, and try to understand the intent and the humanity behind people's expressions

- Respect people’s right to privacy, and their free prior and informed consent

- Approach discussions and negotiations in good faith, with an aim for win-win outcomes and in the spirit of consensus

- 1 person 1 vote in each jurisdiction

- Equality for all - respect should not be attributed on the basis of status or bloodlines

- Accessible design for all infrastructure for all people in all facilities

- Issuance of a global passport for all peoples to facilitate the freedom of movement across borders, particularly for refugees and asylum seekers, including climate refugees

- A respect for First Nations people’s rights around the world, and utilization of devolution of power to ensure the unity of nations

- Budgets that are ambitious, not just responsible, and fulfill the basic needs of all

- An end to the state capture of governments, and a budgetary commitment to the fulfillment of the basic needs of all

- An end to extortionate trade practices often exercised by major world powers, and a commitment to ensure that trade negotiations occur fairly and on equal terms between all states

My personal story, and how its relevant to this conflict

I was born in Voronezh, Russia in 1993 – a time of great turmoil there, when 50% of the country descended into poverty as a result of corruption, nepotism and neoliberal economic reforms being implemented by Boris Yeltsin on the ‘advice’ of Western liberal democratic governments. 

The people born in these years, in Russia, are often referred to as the 'lost generation', due to a collapse in the provision of public services and society. During this time Russians and residents of other former Soviet republics collectively placed all their faith in the West, in the hope that you will help us grow a nascent Russian democracy (which I understand is one of the oldest in Europe). 

When I was a child, I remember watching Boris Yeltsin on TV, and not understanding why he was often gaffe prone and drunk. I remember him asking all of Russia for forgiveness for failing us despite doing his best. I hope all of Russia and indeed the whole world knows that it wasn’t as simple as it looked, and can forgive him for his mistakes. I remember his passing on of his leadership to Vladimir Putin, in a peaceful transfer of power, several months before the scheduled elections because he was the only person in his inner circle who, as I recall, always told him the truth, and his connection to the FSB was no doubt an asset too. 

As a child I always wanted a cat, but my family generally didn’t like pets. Eventually, when I moved to Australia with my mum, she brought a cat for my birthday, which for most of my adult life I haven’t celebrated. Watching Boris Yeltisn ask the country for forgiveness made such an impression on me as a child, that when I saw the cat (Burmilla) I immediately knew what I’d name him - Boris, in the honor of Boris Yeltsin. Make no mistake, behind the words of Boris Yeltsin’s resignation speech is the suffering of 140 million people, most of whom experienced one of the fastest and largest peacetime descents into absolute poverty in their lifetime, possibly in the world. This must never happen again - anywhere, ever again, but Russia is again at a precipice because the truth is - the world needs Russia more than Russia needs the world. The world must understand this. The world must understand that Russia needs to decarbonise rapidly if we are to avoid the greatest human-induced catastrophe in the existence of our civilization - climate change. As one of the most fossil-fuel dependent economies on Earth, the risk for decarbonisation of Russia is comparable to the liberalization of its economy in the 90’s as fossil fuels account for a huge portion of its federal budget revenues, its exports and its GDP. 

The decarbonisation of the Russian and the global economy must happen rapidly and be coordinated if we are to avoid the worst-case scenarios of climate change. We need another leap, but in a world where international finance is dominated by a small number of companies like the Vanguard Group, Black Rock Inc and State Street Corporation, each national government and the global public must ensure that they rapidly pivot away from fossil fuels and into renewable energy. Australia has technologies like MGA Thermal and Green hydrogen (the latter of which is still currently not yet a cost-competitive source of energy, and both of which require rapid investment for global implementation). This needs to be motivated by the overarching interest of the global public, as well as the Russian people and the people of other fossil fuel dominated economies.

For this reason, those that want it need to embrace Russian nuclear power and its exports, ending all trade wars, and invest into the renewables industry, like green hydrogen, solar and wind power to prevent another economic collapse of the kind that I lived through when I was a child. No child should ever again have to live through war, poverty, or through the socio-economic collapse that I lived through. Russian nuclear power stations including floating ones like “Akademik Lomonosov” will require substantial safety and environmental scrutiny, as well as rapid international investment to ensure that the Russian economy does not collapse due to decarbonisation. Indeed much of the world will require this technology, in addition to renewables, as a part of its energy mix to ensure rapid decarbonisation and to avoid catastrophic climate change.

It is also important to acknowledge that many economies around the world are failing their youth and the youth around the world, including in Australia. This must change if there is to be any genuine succession of leadership. The world needs to inspire our youth, just as the Australian Greens, the Australian Government and the Australian Parliament have inspired me to write

this. I remember watching Putin in his younger years try his hardest to keep the largest country in the world with hundreds of cultures together through several wars, American hegemony and a people who still struggled to understand how the market economy works. It was so inspiring, even after I moved to Australia that for a very long time, I dreamt of one day becoming the president of Russia, just like he was. As I grew up in Australia, my self-confidence oscillated because I had to always be prepared and know the news about Russia, so that I could be ready to defend it at any and at every point in time. It became a feedback loop, because I doubled down, and chose politics, philosophy, economics and international studies as my areas of interest. Oftentimes, as people asked me about my name or background, I immediately prepared myself to get defensive because I had to expect that they would start demonizing my motherland.

At one point, I even remember telling my mum that I hate myself, and she helped improve my self-confidence by taking me to a modeling agency. I only did 2 jobs through them, one of them for the film Gallipoli, but it helped. I remember waiting for my ATAR results and asking her if she would still love me if I became a janitor - unfortunately often an expression of derision in Russian. I remember telling some of my closest friends that I wish that I and my family weren’t born, and have considered euthanasia (which is legal in the State of Victoria that I live in, in Australia). This is the kind of self loathing that Australian society has planted within me, just imagine how less privileged people may feel. 

When I reached the income level I felt I wouldn’t want to earn more than, I started getting frustrated at homeless people on my way to work, because the footpaths during the rush were very crowded and I felt they were blocking them, and then I started to understand why many of my friends were angry at the sight of the placement of spikes in the areas ideal for rough sleepers, or sloped benches - because its a sign that the government cares more about hiding the problem than solving it. 

And while he carries a large degree of responsibility for the many deaths of many Russians and Ukrainians, Putin may be right, maybe this is the fight against the Nazis - the Nazis in Russia, Ukraine, America and Australia, and so many other countries around the world, including those in the private sector and those who don’t announce themselves as such. If I’ve sometimes felt this kind of prejudice here all the way from childhood to adulthood, despite having no visible features or accent that make me identifiably Russian, just imagine how First Nations people in Australia feel right now, or how queer people feel when you undermine their identity, or how a person in a wheelchair feels when a tram stop isn’t accessible, or how an immigrant feels when you’re told to ‘go back to where you came from’.

Recently, in the last 2 years I’ve been told to “go back to where I come from” twice - by a voter when campaigning for the Greens in regional Victoria in a safe conservative seat, and when I said to a First Nations elder that I thought that ownership of land is a formality, because we all come from space dust, and we will all become space dust. In both cases I contained myself, bottled it up for later, but when people don’t know that I’m Russian, also with Ukrainian heritage, they don’t know how much that hurts when I think about it later. I don’t hold it against them, but I feel this way because I know I could have done something about this earlier, and I would love to visit Ukraine one day, to help negotiate a peace with Russia, and ask for the forgiveness from the Ukrainian people at the Kyivo-Pechers’ka Lavra, and from the Russian people at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. I would love to go back to Russia and visit my family and childhood friends again, and reconnect with my nostalgia and see my home town again, and Moscow, and more of my motherland, and visit lake Baikal on the trans-Siberian train. At this point these are just dreams, because to write this article I’ve had to rely on the kindness of my friends, housemates and family. Like most of the rest of Australia, I’m barely getting by, but in my case it's because this is what I am choosing to do with my life. This is also why Australia needs electoral reform, taking private state capture and political donations out of politics, and ensuring that our political system is funded, because if all of us volunteers withdraw, our political system will collapse. This is wrong, and is an unacceptable risk for our country.

A director I worked for in the Victorian Public Service once told me “You’ve learned English well.” To this day, despite how some may see this, I’ve come to see it as one of the highest compliments I’ve received in my life, having seen so many people - Ukrainians, Russians, including my mother, and people from so many cultures be consistently punched down on. I’ve occasionally done it myself with many of my friends, sometimes harmfully, but there are ways we can make fun of each other’s backgrounds and punch up or at least forward - without leaving any bruises and staying true to yourself. 

The derision from much of the West, towards Putin, towards the Russian people and towards me personally frequently seemed to have a level of intent that transcended politics. The endless jokes about poverty, corruption and mail-order brides, when much of this is a consequence of hostile elements of foreign interference in Russian politics. If you’re still questioning Putin’s understanding of world politics, listen to what Gorbachev thought about him before he passed away.

The truth is, that Russia is a corrupt country, but corruption in the West is often just hidden much better, or just outwardly legitimized by neoliberalism. The Russian government may now have many war criminals (because there should be no just wars), but the West has many war criminals too. Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and in his initial terms Putin all approached the US and NATO in good faith, carrying with them hopes and dreams of the Russian people, and you fucked us over, bringing the world closer to nuclear war than its ever been, and having wasted hundreds of thousands of lives (just in this conflict), and trillions of dollars on needless militarisation of the world. This is why in China they teach about the 100 years of Humiliation - so that these injustices are never forgotten by the next generation. So that people know what their country’s national interest is, and China is right to be wary of American diplomacy, as are other countries of Chinese diplomacy.

At the beginning of last year, I watched the UN General Assembly session on Russia’s military build-up on the Ukrainian borders. I bawled my eyes out for the whole session and couldn’t sleep that night, and for many nights afterwards and till this day, because I understood what my destiny is. It was to prove to Australia that Russians are not evil, and I set out to campaign with my political party - the Greens, to pursue our Four Pillars; peace and non-violence, environmental and social justice and participatory grassroots democracy, and in the hope that enough people will notice what I’m trying to do to gather momentum for meaningful change on our planet. Here we are, I hope you’ve listened. Why didn’t I publish this earlier? 

- The risks of miscalculation are catastrophic

- I’m a reclusive introvert, for the last few years my dream was to just pay my rent and play computer games for the rest of my life, as I have since I got my first computer at the turn of the millennium, but I also care about the world and read a lot and realize that specific things need to happen, and someone needs to try to make them happen. For Putin to listen to me, I have to engage with the Russian Idea - something I’ve ignored for most of my adult life, including Russian literature. This article is my template for what I see as a universalist vision for our planet

- I’m doing this with varied support from friends, family and housemates and my political

party - the Victorian Greens. I don’t have an office or staff, and am doing my best to keep

aware of our political zeitgeist

Disclaimer

Being a Russian in Australia, I’m sure there’d be people reading this who’d be concerned about the publication of this article as a form of foreign interference. I want to assure anyone reading this that I have written it in the national interest of Australia as well as Russia, and indeed in the overarching global public interest. As previously expressed, I’m not receiving any money to do this and there are no special interest groups that I’m beholden to in doing this. If I had to put a label on my politics, it would be Liberal/Libertarian Eco-market-socialist - the same label I’ve given myself since 2012. I also have recently understood the significance of my heritage - that I’m a descendant of the Golitsyn, Rimsky-Korsakoff and Raevsky families, as well as decorated generals and others with military honors in my family. I state this for Vladimir Putin and the people of Russia, in case there are questions about my loyalty and whether what I’ve written should be taken seriously in my motherland. For most of my life and until this year I did not care about this. I’ve also been corresponding with Ukrainian relatives, who have lived in Dnipro for decades, are locate 100km from the front lines of the conflict, hear warning sirens 3-5 times per day, have rockets flying past their balcony destroying their neighborhoods, and wish to have their voices heard (a privilege they themselves do not have), and are detailing the context on how this conflict developed. Please see their on-ground experiences (the document is in Russian, so you will need a translation system, but I will attempt to provide a translation in English too at some point). If you have questions, please reach out via my contact page on this website. If you’re waiting for me to speak publicly, I’m waiting for you to ask me to, and I will need your - the Australian Parliament’s support to face a war crimes trial as I do not have the means to refer myself.