World needs peace

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, has brought nothing but destruction, misery, and the heartbreaking loss of innocent lives on both sides. It is a conflict that continues to erode economies, tear families apart, and reduce once-thriving cities to rubble.

In a world already facing major global challenges — such as climate change, economic instability, and humanitarian crises — this war diverts precious resources and attention away from the urgent issues that threaten our shared future.

While the dynamics differ, the peace agreements brokered in other conflicts offer a glimmer of hope. These efforts show that even the most deep-rooted conflicts can find a path to peace through dialogue and diplomacy. A similar commitment to negotiation must be urgently pursued in the case of Russia and Ukraine.

Surely, no leader wants to see their nation’s economy shattered or the blood of their people spilled for generations. As the saying goes: where there’s a will, there’s a way. It is time for global leaders to step up — not with weapons, but with wisdom. Negotiation, not war, is the only way forward.

Let us unite as a global community to confront the real threats to our planet — climate change, poverty, inequality — not each other. Only through unity and peace can we secure a future worth living in.

Usman Shaheen,
By email