Wolfgang Isiger, a German security expert—former head of the Munich Security Conference—recommends preparing the conditions and framework for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

“Beyond arms deliveries and financial support, we need to give perspective” of peace as they raise questions and doubts in the US and Germany, Mr. Issiger emphasizes in an article published in today’s issue of the newspaper Tagesspiegel (Berlin).

“Of course, the issue is not to demand that Ukraine show a will to negotiate now, today. “Ukraine will decide for itself on this, and at present this step would be a partial capitulation to the aggressor Russia,” he continues.

But, he adds, “we urgently need to start preparing for the peace process for Ukraine.”

“The West, including the German government, looks naked in front of the various Wagenknechts, Schwarzers and Prechts, when, in response to the understandable question when a peace initiative will be taken, they permanently give the stereotypical answer that the conditions for negotiations do not exist at the present time” , reports.

Figures in Germany such as left-wing politician Zara Wagenknecht, activist Alice Schwarzer and author Richard David Precht are calling for peace talks to be held as soon as possible, which resonates with public opinion. Their calls, however, also provoke strong reactions, especially from Kiev, but not only.

For his part, Mr. Isiger proposes the creation of an international contact group, parallel to that of Ramstein, on behalf of the American military base where Western military aid to the Ukrainian armed forces is coordinated.

In his view, the contact group will become “the core or at least part of the mediation group in due course” when negotiations begin.

At the core of this scheme, as he sees it, the USA, Britain, France and Germany must participate. Other partners may be involved, including Canada, Spain, Poland, Italy, the Baltic States, the UN, the EU, the OSCE (the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and NATO.

There should be ongoing meetings “at the level of foreign ministers” to coordinate the process, as he sees it. He is in favor of discussing in detail all options for achieving peace. This method was successful in trying to restore peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the 1990s, Mr Isiger points out.

In particular, it must be clarified how and by whom the peace process will be overseen and the framework for the disengagement of the armed forces of the parties as well as a possible agreement to impose no-fly zones, warns the text.