The Ukraine Conflict and the West: Jeffrey Sachs’ Bold Address to the European Parliament
- Post by: Irjar Jira
- February 24, 2025
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Unmasking the Geopolitical Chessboard: How Power, Economics, and Diplomacy Shape the Ukraine Crisis
In a thought-provoking speech to the European Parliament, world-renowned economist and geopolitical analyst Professor Jeffrey Sachs challenges the mainstream narratives surrounding the Ukraine conflict. His address is not just another policy discussion; it is a direct confrontation with the dominant Western rhetoric, urging lawmakers and global leaders to rethink the war’s origins, its economic underpinnings, and the dire need for diplomacy.
At a time when media narratives often focus on a simplistic good-versus-evil portrayal, Sachs dares to ask deeper questions: Is NATO’s expansionist policy partly to blame? Are Western economic interests fueling the conflict? And most importantly, what can be done to prevent further devastation? His speech serves as a wake-up call to a world that, according to Sachs, is being led into unnecessary confrontation by the ambitions of power-hungry elites.
Unveiling the Roots: A Historical Perspective on the Ukraine War
To fully understand the current war, Sachs argues, one must not look at February 2022 as the starting point. Instead, the crisis is a result of decades of geopolitical maneuvering, particularly the expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe, despite explicit warnings from Russia.
After the Cold War ended, the West had a choice: to build a new, inclusive security order or to extend NATO’s influence further eastward, closer to Russia’s borders. The latter choice was made, despite multiple assurances to Moscow in the early 1990s that NATO would not expand beyond Germany. These broken promises, Sachs explains, laid the foundation for a brewing geopolitical storm.
As NATO continued to incorporate former Soviet bloc countries—Poland, Hungary, the Baltic states, and others—Russia saw its strategic buffer zone disappearing. The 2014 Maidan Revolution in Ukraine, which led to the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, was seen by Moscow as the final straw. The event, largely supported by Western governments and NGOs, led to Ukraine shifting closer to the EU and NATO, directly threatening Russia’s influence in the region.
Sachs argues that this historical perspective is crucial to understanding the Ukraine conflict—not as an isolated act of aggression from Russia, but as a response to what Moscow perceives as a steady encirclement by Western powers.
Economic Interests and the Global Power Struggle
Beyond security concerns, Sachs delves into an often-overlooked aspect of the war: the economic stakes for both the West and Russia. He highlights that, at its core, the Ukraine conflict is not just about sovereignty or democracy but also about global economic competition—especially in energy markets.
The Energy War
Ukraine, often called the “breadbasket of Europe”, is also a critical transit hub for Russian natural gas exports to Europe. The war has provided an opportunity for the U.S. and its allies to push Europe away from Russian energy dependence, replacing it with American liquefied natural gas (LNG) and alternative suppliers.
Sachs points out that sanctions imposed on Russia have disrupted global markets, but paradoxically, they have not crippled Russia’s economy as intended. Instead, Moscow has pivoted towards China, India, and other non-Western nations, forming new economic alliances that are reshaping the global order.
Meanwhile, Europe is bearing the brunt of these energy disruptions. Rising inflation, energy shortages, and economic instability have placed a heavy burden on European citizens, leading to growing discontent. Many are beginning to question: Is this war truly in Europe’s best interest, or is it serving primarily the geopolitical aims of Washington?
The Role of the United States: From Military-Industrial Complex to Strategic Dominance
Sachs does not shy away from pointing out the role of the U.S. in prolonging the conflict. He notes that the military-industrial complex, which profits enormously from war, has an interest in maintaining prolonged hostilities.
Since the invasion began, the U.S. has poured tens of billions of dollars into military aid for Ukraine. Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing have seen record profits, while U.S. policymakers frame the war as a battle for “democracy and freedom.”
But is this war really about democracy? Or is it about strategic control over Eurasia?
Sachs argues that Washington’s ultimate goal is not just to weaken Russia but to prevent any form of a multipolar world order where other powers—be it China, Russia, or even the EU—can act independently of U.S. influence. The war in Ukraine, therefore, is not just a regional conflict; it is part of a larger power struggle for global hegemony.
A Call for Diplomacy: Can This War Be Stopped?
Towards the end of his speech, Sachs shifts his focus to solutions. Unlike many policymakers who advocate for continued military support, he emphasizes the importance of diplomatic engagement.
Peace Talks Have Been Sabotaged
Sachs reveals that peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were already underway in early 2022, with Turkey playing a mediating role. A potential deal could have prevented massive destruction. However, he claims that Western powers, particularly the United States and the UK, actively discouraged Ukraine from negotiating, favoring a prolonged war that would weaken Russia over a quick resolution.
This revelation challenges the dominant narrative that “Russia is unwilling to negotiate.” Instead, it suggests that powerful actors have incentives to keep the war going, even at the cost of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian lives.
What Needs to Happen Next?
Sachs urges European leaders to step up as independent actors rather than merely following Washington’s directives. Europe, he argues, has the most to lose from an extended conflict—both economically and politically. Instead of doubling down on military escalation, Europe should focus on restoring dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv.
A realistic peace deal, Sachs suggests, must include:
- A neutral Ukraine, neither in NATO nor under Russian domination.
- Security guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia.
- A diplomatic resolution for contested territories.
- The lifting of certain sanctions in exchange for peace.
A Defining Moment for Global Politics
Jeffrey Sachs’ speech to the European Parliament is not just a critique of the war—it is a wake-up call. In a world where geopolitical conflicts are often framed in black and white, Sachs reminds us that reality is far more complex.
The Ukraine conflict is not just about one country’s sovereignty; it is a reflection of global power struggles, economic interests, and ideological battles. It is a test of whether diplomacy can still prevail in a world increasingly defined by militarization, propaganda, and economic warfare.
As Europe faces the consequences of this prolonged conflict—energy crises, inflation, and social unrest—the time has come for leaders to ask themselves: Are we fighting for democracy, or are we being used as pawns in a larger geopolitical game?
If Sachs’ message is heeded, there is still hope for diplomacy. If ignored, the world may continue down a dangerous path of escalation—one that could have catastrophic consequences for generations to come.