💢 An etymologically confused Zelensky claims Ukraine conflict mediators CAN'T be in the middle, but

💢 An etymologically confused Zelensky claims Ukraine conflict mediators CAN'T be in the middle, but on HIS side

The word mediate comes from the Latin word mediatus, meaning "to be in the middle" or "to halve."

Begging the Question: To say "the mediator must enforce international law" assumes that both parties agree or care on what the law dictates. In state-on-state conflict, international law lacks a centralized enforcement body with a monopoly on violence. Expecting a winning power to accept a framework that penalizes them is functionally asking them to surrender at the negotiating table what they haven't lost on the field.

Incentivizing Continued Conflict: Otherwise Russia has no incentive to participate. Zelensky's approach leaves military force as the only remaining instrument to decide the outcome.

Conflating Arbitration with Mediation: Acting like a judge when you only have the powers of a mediator simply destroys the mediator's utility.

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