THE war in Ukraine grinds on, having long ago reached a WWI-type standstill. Casualties are now estimated at over 500,000.

The second anniversary of Russia’s illegal and unjustified invasion saw Ukrainian forces withdraw from Avdiivka, only 10 miles from Donetsk city.

From a pre-war population of about 31,000, the town has been depopulated and left in ruins.

The mass slaughter on both sides is emblematic of the shocking human cost of this war, which has degenerated into a brutal and bloody war of attrition along a nearly static front line.

Neither side made significant territorial gains in the entire 2023 year of fighting, with a net gain to Russia of a mere 188 square miles.

Peace talks scuppered

We now know that genuine attempts in March 2022 to secure a peace agreement were scuppered by the US and British governments. They were in favour of a long war, because they thought Russian forces were not doing as well as expected and could be forced back. US and British leaders have never admitted what they did, nor tried to explain why they did it.

The British government has already spent £4.6 billion on the war in Ukraine, with the promise of spending “whatever it takes” — think where that money could be spent in education or health.

We should be alarmed at reports that British forces are in Ukraine targeting missiles at Russians. In other words, Britain is directly engaged in war without parliamentary approval or official acknowledgement.

How do we respond?

All wars end in some form of peace. Very few wars end in outright victory for one side or the other — the war in Ukraine will not be an exception to this rule.

Russia has five times more resources than Ukraine and can draw on the same proportion of personnel. Vladimir Putin cares not one jot for how much blood he spills in pursuing his aims.

Ukraine estimates it needs 500,000 more troops, just to hold the line, and can no longer rely on young Ukrainians to step up. At least 20,000 men of fighting age have fled the country, risking five years in prison if they are caught.

A proxy war

It is clear, to all but ideologues, that the choice now is between a negotiated settlement, and a modern version of the Battle of Verdun.

In these circumstances, to call for an escalation of the war, through ever-increasing spending on arms and personnel is irresponsible. Western politicians, who encourage Ukraine to keep fighting, do so safe in the knowledge that it is young Russian and Ukrainian men who will be killed and maimed. They will not have to meet bereaved widows and parents of their own soldiers.

As European leaders talk about moving to a “war economy,” David Cameron has described increased spending on arms for Ukraine as a “good investment” and “value for money” in terms of US and British political influence across the globe. That is why we refer to this as a proxy war by Nato.

New militarism

On all the sides the war is being used as an excuse to ramp up arms spending and increase militarism. We should oppose this drive to more war and normalisation of considering nuclear conflict.

We don’t trust our government’s foreign policy in respect of the war on Gaza, nor should we on Ukraine. There are now widespread, and growing calls for a negotiated settlement, from the Pope to dozens of governments. Our movement should add our voice to these calls.

In calling for a negotiated settlement, our movement should also support free trade unions, independent of the state, in both Russia and Ukraine, and the removal of restrictions currently placed on them.

Two years on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of thousands are dead, countless more injured, homes and infrastructure destroyed and millions displaced — and the risk of nuclear war has increased.

Support amendment 37.1 and call for an end to this war!

NEU Left is the left voice of classroom educators (www.neuleft.org).