A conference was held October 30, 2024 at the Paris Business School where prominent experts and politicians gathered to discuss the growing threat of nuclear escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Professor Frédéric Encel , the Chair opened the conference and introduced the debate amid increasing concerns over the worsening geopolitical tensions. Participants warned of the risk of nuclear war between NATO and Russia, with almost all nuclear deterrence agreements between the U.S. and Russia currently suspended.
Msgr. Vittorio Formenti, an influential representative of the Vatican, spoke out strongly against the dangers of nuclear war, recalling the horrors of Hiroshima. Formenti emphasized Pope Francis’s call for peace, warning of the devastating consequences of war and stressing that dialogue is the only path to a sustainable solution.
Jeffrey Sachs: Ukraine crisis fueled by NATO expansion
American economist Jeffrey Sachs argued that NATO’s eastward expansion has played a significant role in the conflict. He stressed that direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow are essential to avert further escalation.
Sachs warned that the economic impact of the Ukraine conflict is already taking a severe toll on Europe, with an estimated $10 trillion projected to be spent on defense in the EU over the next decade.
Manel Msalmi on the impact on women and children
Ms Manel Msalmi, President of the European Association for the Defense of Minorities, highlighted the effect of the war on women and children, who make up the vast majority of refugees fleeing Ukraine.
She called for protection of their rights and warned that further escalation could have devastating consequences for future generations. Msalmi noted that recent statements by Ukrainian President Zelensky which show his concern about the difficult situation in his country could be misinterpreted as encouraging escalation of the conflict.
She said:” There is need to advocate for promotion of diplomatic solutions”.
Gaidz Minassian and Gerard Chaliand: different perspectives, shared call for peace
French political scientist and winner of the 2024 PUFF Geopolitical Book Prize, Gerard Chaliand, voiced sharp criticism of European leaders who he believes are blindly following U.S. strategy mainly the Biden administration.
He pointed out that a peace solution is not only inevitable but urgently needed.
Gaidz Minassian from Le Monde offered a different view on the origins of the conflict and stressed the fact that Russia is the aggressor and the EU needs to support Ukraine but joined the call for diplomatic solutions to avert escalation.
An urgent call for peace and stability
The Paris conference highlighted the growing danger of nuclear conflict resulting from the war in Ukraine and underscored diplomacy and dialogue as the only solution. The influential speakers left no doubt about the need for international cooperation to prevent further escalation and ensure a safe future.
