THE ROLE OF MEDIATION IN THE RUSSIAN- UKRAINE CONFLICT

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to examine the role of mediation in the Russian- Ukraine conflict. Specifically, the study examine the reason for the Russian - Ukrainian conflict. The study also evaluate the role of the United Nations in the face of a crisis. Lastly, the study investigate the mediating role of the European Union in the Russian - Ukraine. The study adopted the historical analysis. The findings revealed that  majority of the Ukrainian respondents perceived the EU as on its side in the conflict – EU sanctions against Russia being the primary indicator. Still, the effectiveness of the EU’s policies, backed by sanctions, was tempered by perceived EU economic self-interest in Russia. Although Ukrainian elites perceived the EU as a biased mediator in their favor, they were not convinced that this will, in the end, protect Ukrainian interests, as the EU was seen to be shortsighted and limited by economic and security concerns. The lack of EU mediator effectiveness was, however, also explained by referring to Russia as a “tough case” uninterested in a negotiated solution. The study thereby recommend that the European Union in its quest to brokering peace between Russian and Ukraine should endeavor not to be biased against one party at the detriment of the other party involved in the crisis as this could lead to irresolution of the crisis.