'Price of peace' discussed at Antalya Diplomacy Forum

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A panel including NATO's secretary general, the presidents of Slovenia and Niger, and the prime minister of Ukraine debated the "price of peace" in a panel on Friday at the diplomatic forum taking place in Turkey's southwestern province of Antalya.

It had been expected that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would virtually join the panel at the three-day Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), which began on Friday morning in Turkey's southwestern province of Antalya. Sadly, however, Zelensky was unable to join the diplomatic forum from his country under siege.

Addressing the cost of war in his place, and no doubt acutely aware of the irony, the panel under the name “Price of Peace or Cost of War” was instead joined by the Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who spoke of Russia's invasion of his country, which has now passed its two-week mark.

In remarks also live-streamed, Shmyhal told the audience that “On the morning of February 24, 2022, the world changed and not only for Ukraine,” and that Russia attacked a peaceful Ukraine from its own territory and Belarus. “One should not believe whatever the leadership of Russia and Belarus say,” the prime minister implored the audience.

Shmyhal repeatedly stressed the point that Ukraine is a sovereign nation which requires the support of the international community, and expressed his pride that - so far - Russia has not been able to take control of any major Ukrainian city. “Not a single day passes without Russia shelling Ukrainian cities, residential areas, and critical infrastructure with ballistic and cruise missiles,” he said.

He cannot stop feeling shocked with Russian officials, he continued, “who cynically justify these war crimes with lies and propaganda.”

Following the prime minister’s remarks, the panel opened up to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, President of Slovenia Borut Pahor, and President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, who attended the discussion in person.

Chaired by TRT World’s Ghida Fakhry, who opened the discussion by putting a literal price on the cost of war to the United States alone in its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last 20 years at an estimated eight trillion dollars, the panellists were questioned on their own interpretations of the “price of peace.”

Jens Stoltenberg spoke of the role of NATO in supporting Ukraine, and of the courage that the Ukrainian people have displayed in recent weeks, saying it had undoubtedly slowed the pace of the Russian invasion.

Questioned on the role of NATO - in pursuing provocative alliances and bringing in more eastern european countries, for example - he responded that it was for Ukraine alone to decide whether to pursue joining NATO.

“Russia should respect free and independent decisions by free and independent countries,” he told the audience.

Pressed on whether it was worth considering out-right rejecting a NATO application if it would end the war tomorrow, Jens Stoltenberg said again that it was for Ukraine to decide.

President of Slovenia Borut Pahor fully supported Stoltenberg’s position and statements, he said, expressing his support for the EU and NATO’s actions.

Asked about the imposition of a no fly zone in Ukraine, Pahor said there was no way to directly confront Russia since Ukraine is not a member of NATO. However, he warned against Russian aggression against NATO members. Rather than a no fly zone, Slovenia’s president pushed for a ceasefire

Offering an interesting slant on the question of the “price of peace,” President of the Republic of Niger Mohamed Bazour said that the price of war was more directly felt in his nation. “When the price of wheat increases, a poor country like ours feels it the most,” he said.

“When fuel increases, food prices increase as well … and this is the price of war.”

Pressed on African interest in dealing with Russia despite sanctions, Bazour said he could not talk on behalf of all African countries, who must take into consideration the impact of the war.

In his summary remarks, Stoltenberg said that dialogue to search for a political solution to the crisis must be continued, and that both sides required help in order to come to a position of lasting peace.

“There is a strong need to help Ukraine in all terms, but at the same time there is also a need to help Russia,” in terms of diplomacy, he said. 

“At the minimum should be to agree on humanitarian corridors to get people out, and bring people in,” he said. “We need strong multilateral organisations: like the EU, like the UN, and like NATO.”

“NATO is one billion people, 30 countries, and our core task is to defend each other… We are a defensive alliance intended to preserve peace and prevent conflict,” he said. Ukraine has ties with NATO and has previously applied for membership, but is not a member of the alliance.

The second ADF is taking place under the theme of "Recoding Diplomacy." According to the forum's website, it is a place to bring together many "heads of state and government, ministers, policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, academics, think-tankers and representatives of the youth and media."

Further panels will be held over the coming days, with a host of prominent leaders from a plethora of countries.