Russia-Ukraine War: Role of Neutrality for Ukraine in Ending the Conflict

Weak states located in the backyard of great powers need to handle their foreign policy carefully and calculatedly. Neglecting such a system can trigger the reaction of the great powers, resulting in major conflict and fragility. For vulnerable states, neutrality is the best foreign policy option to avoid being trapped in competition between great powers. Neutrality saves the weak states from being the battleground of the great powers. Ukraine is in a similar position today, but its foreign policy-makers failed to consider the circumstances. They did not opt for neutrality in their relations with Russia and the West. Russian officials, including President Putin, warned Ukraine to be neutral and not welcome NATO in their territory, calling it a security threat to Russia. Ukraine today is at full war with Russia as they chose NATO membership vis-à-vis peace with a major power. Joining NATO was not worth destroying Ukraine; rather, a neutral relationship could help save Ukraine. Indeed, there is a need for peace in Ukraine; neutrality can still play a significant role in bringing peace. Withdrawal from their application for NATO membership is what Ukraine can do to save itself from further destruction. A peaceful Ukraine is beneficial for Europe, Britain, and the United States, which spend large amounts of money on the defence of Ukraine against Russia. The paper aims to evaluate the importance of neutrality in Ukraine’s relations with Russia and the U.S. since the end of the Cold War. Based on the findings, the paper provides policy recommendations for small states like Afghanistan to adopt neutrality in their foreign policy.