The Decalogue Betrayed: How Chasing Peace Risks Losing Ukraine

Source: Author’s Facebook page

First, the word ‘victory’ quietly disappears from public discourse, replaced by the seemingly safer term ‘truce.’ Gradually, society’s belief in victory — and its understanding of the nature of the war — begins to erode. This substitution of concepts creates the illusion of an exit where it doesn’t exist.

War fatigue and the enemy’s information campaigns have created a dangerous temptation to trade the country’s sovereignty and future for the illusion of peace. Yet this path leads not to peace, but to disaster. It is time to come to our senses and return to the fundamental principles that underpin our survival — and the path to true victory and genuine peace.

1. Russia’s war against Ukraine is a confrontation between good and evil, truth and falsehood, freedom and slavery. This war cannot be “settled.” Its outcome will determine whether an independent Ukrainian state continues to exist, what Europe’s future will be, and in which direction the world as a whole will move.

2. Calling things by their proper names and clearly distinguishing between good and evil is a necessary prerequisite for defeating evil and achieving a just peace. Russia is an empire of evil that brings destruction, death, slavery, and lies. This evil must be defeated and held to account. Appeasing the aggressor — or portraying accommodation with evil as a path to peace — is, in fact, a path to disaster.

3. We must not deviate from the path of truth, freedom, and dignity, for this is our strength and the key to victory. When we begin to play by evil’s rules — bargaining with the enemy over our principles, rights, or internal affairs — we lose support both at home and abroad.

4. No agreement with Russia, and none of its promises, has any value. The notion that surrendering sovereignty, people, or territory can stop the war and save lives is a deadly illusion that serves the aggressor. Russia’s goal remains unchanged: the destruction of Ukrainian statehood. Its so-called “peace proposals” are merely instruments to disorient and weaken Ukraine and the wider world.

5. To survive and to have a future, we need victory. Victory means the defeat of Russian imperialism, the dismantling of the evil empire, the liberation of peoples and territories enslaved by Moscow, and the creation of conditions under which Russia will never again be able to threaten Ukraine or the world.

6. To win, we must persevere — despite heavy losses, exhaustion, and persistent attempts to sow division among us. If we yield to pressure, the cost in lives and losses will be immeasurably greater. In this duel, victory will belong to the side with the stronger will, faster and more precise actions, and the ability to endure even one day longer. The perception of Russia as all-powerful is an illusion. We must inflict military, economic, and political losses sufficient to erode its ability to continue the war.  Short-term concessions or may, at certain moments, be both possible and necessary, but they can be achieved on terms acceptable to Ukraine only through the weakening of the enemy.— never by playing according to its script.

7. No concessions to the enemy. No bargaining over territory or sovereignty. There are no commitments that compromise Ukraine’s future. Ukraine owes nothing to anyone. In a just war for freedom and independence, our demands must be clear and non-negotiable: the complete liberation of Ukraine’s territory; compensation for the damage inflicted by Russia; accountability for war crimes; and the establishment of credible guarantees of peace and security.

Our actions must focus on strengthening Ukraine’s own military capabilities, degrading Russia’s capacity to wage war, and shifting the war onto the aggressor’s territory — through strikes against Russia by air and sea, through Ukrainian and international sanctions, and through support for national liberation movements and other forms of resistance within Russia.

8. Internal unity and confidence in our own strength are essential conditions for the state’s resilience. No Ukrainian politician or official has the right to yield to pressure from any foreign power in matters concerning Ukraine’s internal affairs or its geopolitical choice. Bargaining over the army, language, faith, elections, or referendums — as well as attempts to delegitimize the government or persecute the opposition — undermines national unity and objectively serves the enemy, regardless of intent. Consistency in defending truth, freedom, and dignity is the foundation of support for Ukrainian society and for the entire free world. The leaders of our state must embody this consistency and uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty.

9. The free world must act together to defeat the evil empire. This is essential not only for Ukraine’s victory but also to prevent further aggression against Europe and beyond. Ukraine and Europe face a common threat and share a common interest in eliminating it by defeating Russia in this war.

For the sake of its own security, Europe must clearly identify Russia as an enemy and treat any form of support for it as hostile, subversive activity. Coordinated action by European states, together with Ukraine — including the joint production and supply of weapons and the transfer of Russian assets to Ukraine — will lead to Russia’s inevitable defeat.

10. We have no right to squander the efforts of countless generations, to diminish the sacrifices of fallen heroes, or to deprive future generations of their rightful future.

Every individual and community can embrace this Decalogue as both a personal commitment and a shared stance. Supporting and promoting its principles is a vital act that strengthens Ukraine and reinforces our collective resolve.

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