Ukrainian-Russian Peace Negotiations: Hybrid Conflict Resolution and Its Economic Aspects

Abstract

The ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war involves the use of hybrid warfare, including economic and other elements. Each party has its own strategy for utilizing all these elements. The strategy, however, may change depending on current needs and performance indicators. The international community is trying to persuade the conflict parties to agree on an armistice or at least long-term cessation of hostilities. However, conventional diplomacy has resulted in limited progress. There is a number of ideological, social and other factors that may be treated by a conflict party as sufficient reasons to continue the war. So far no peacemaker managed to formulate any reasons to end the war that would seem more convincing to both parties simultaneously than the reasons to continue it.

The article explores alternative conflict resolution approaches. The author analyzes and evaluates the tasks, actions and challenges faced by a country in modern peace negotiations with Ukraine as a case study. Recommendations are given to the negotiators. These recommendations are intended to help them conduct effective negotiations, understand the other conflicting party and come to an agreement on a basis of bargaining, so that both parties receive some benefit simultaneously (“win-win” scenario), foregoing zero-sum approaches.