Lessons from Northern Ireland could point the way to talks on Ukraine

Former senior United States officials have reportedly been talking to Russian government ministers about creating a negotiating framework for talks on ending the Russian war in Ukraine. It is part of a potential two-stage approach in which Nato-led military aid to Ukraine is optimised during the current counter-offensive, yet both sides are able to pursue a cessation of fighting over coming winter months. These informal and unofficial initiatives are part of an international diplomatic effort to contain the war. It involves China and middle powers such as India, Turkey and Brazil, together with European regional powers and leaderships along with…