According to the Wall Street Journal, roughly 1,000,000 Ukrainians and Russians have been killed or wounded in the war in Ukraine. Many qualified analysts claim the figure is much higher. Yet as the West’s proxy war meat grinder rolls on, the UK, US, EU and NATO clamour to unleash long-range weapon attacks against Russia. Against the failing Ukrainian defence, these attacks cannot stall the fate of Ukraine, but they can prolong the brutal war until Ukraine is finally defeated as a functioning economy and as a nation state.
As the Western world is dragged towards direct war with Russia, India holds a valuable status as an emerging superpower, one in the powerful position of being a highly respected political voice in both Russia and the US-led West. As such, India can be a valuable and influential mediator for peace in Ukraine.
UK Column is delighted to have been asked to facilitate a critical discussion between Scott Ritter—former US Marine Corps and UN weapons inspector—and Maj-Gen Gagan Deep Bakshi, Indian Army (Retired). Ritter is currently well known for his direct and dissecting analysis of the war in Ukraine. Maj-Gen Bakshi has a distinguished military career in the Indian Army during hostilities and counter-terrorist operations, as well as serving two tenures at the highly prestigious Directorate of General Military Operations. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Maj-Gen Bakshi has been a critical analyst of the military situation in Ukraine and its geopolitical effects in the sphere outside the military. He is highly respected within politics and the media, both in India and overseas.