"Between the 'eastward expansion of Nato' and the 'right of a sovereign state to decide its arrangements' there may appear to be no compromise. But all brokered cessations of hostilities begins with such irreconcilables. A sophisticated, if not sophistic diplomatic culture that includes China should now be straining all its resources to devise, as a minimal first move and with all the ingenuity and compassion it can muster, the terms of a ceasefire. Without the attempt we will be condemned to watch mass death up close – and we will never forgive ourselves" (Ian McEwan)