Caricature of the EU with weapons while Russia holds peace talks with Ukraine

Realpolitik instead of morality: Why peace is not created with principles, but with power

Those who reject peace are the warmongers - including the EU

In times of military conflict, states tend to present themselves as defenders of values and principles. Terms such as "freedom", "democracy" and "human rights" become rhetorical weapons in the battle for political legitimacy. But history shows: Peace is rarely created through principles - but through power, interests and mutual risk calculation.

The European Union and the West as a whole are facing a dangerous contradiction today: They claim moral superiority, but have themselves broken international law in the past - NATO intervened, often without a UN mandate, and legitimized its wars with "humanitarian reasons", which in retrospect often turned out to be strategic pretexts. In these cases, no one spoke of "aggression", "breach of international law" or "warmongering". The West judged itself - and acquitted itself.

Today, the same West is criticizing Russia for the invasion of Ukraine. And rightly so - because a war of aggression remains a violation of international law. But those who have failed morally themselves have lost the credibility to condemn others from a moral perspective. Geopolitics does not work according to the categorical imperative, but according to principle: Who gets their way, who has influence, who controls resources?

If Russia now - as is currently the case - a Peace offer without preconditions and at the same time bears significant military coststhat is a signal that should be taken seriously. Anyone who reflexively rejects it at such a moment - as the EU, large parts of NATO and Zelensky's government do - must ask themselves whether it is still about peace or whether it has long been about geopolitical and economic interests.

Because it is a fact: Arms deliveries bring profits, Defense stocks rise, Securing raw materials is a real factorand zones of influence are not just a Russian concept. The EU wants to strengthen its position - economically, ideologically and militarily.

If Putin - whether out of weakness, strategy or genuine interest - is prepared to end the war and the EU refuses, then the moral compass has been lost.

In a world of realpolitik, the decisive factor is not who is in the right - but who is prepared to take responsibility when a window for peace opens. This does not mean naively demanding surrender. But it does mean Hold talks, check conditions, facilitate negotiations under neutral supervision - instead of rejecting them from the outset because they come from the "wrong" actor.

But why are the EU and NATO reacting so hesitantly or dismissively to Russian peace signals? One explanation lies in the economic and military interdependencies. European countries such as Germany, France and Poland benefit directly from the arms industrywhose share prices have risen significantly since the start of the war in Ukraine. Companies like Rheinmetall or Leonardo receives orders worth billions - legitimized by a moral narrative that allows no alternatives.

At the same time, the ongoing conflict serves as a Pretext for political restructuring within EuropeMore money for the military, more control over critical infrastructure and a consolidated security policy bloc vis-à-vis Russia. In this context, the question arises: is it really still about Ukraine - or has it long been about Europe's strategic realignment?

A real peace, even with Russian participation, would call all these interests into question. It is therefore worth taking a critical look behind the political framing that has dominated the headlines for years.

It is therefore all the more important that every Willingness to negotiate not ideologicalbut is examined soberly. A Proposal for peace must not be reflexively rejectedjust because it comes from an unwanted actor. Otherwise, not only will the war be prolonged, but your own credibility will also be sacrificed - on the altar of power-political interests.


Closing words:

Anyone who rejects peace - without having tested it - is a warmonger.
And if this is the West, then it too must bear this title.

Peace is not created by talking about morality. It is created through compromise, balance of power and controlled concessions. Everything else is ideology - and has always led to new suffering in history.

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Posted by Petr Kirpeit

All articles are my personal opinion and are written in German. In order to offer English-speaking readers access to the article, they are automatically translated via DeepL. Facts and sources will be added where possible. Unless there is clear evidence, the respective article is considered to be my personal opinion at the time of publication. This opinion may change over time. Friends, partners, companies and others do not have to share this position.

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