I was thinking of a World War 2 scenario where the declarers didn't actually start hostilities.
Now in an alternate universe where Germany didn't realise it was at war if it invaded Poland, so it never invaded France. Fast forward X years on, and France wants to sign a peace treaty (because it's embarrassing being in the EU but at war with a fellow member, and makes Schengen complicated), but Germany doesn't see the need because they aren't at war. Can France unilaterally declare peace? Is Germany at war? (I suppose theres a legal and real world answer to this)
I'm reminded of an urban legend, where Berwick on Tweed wasn't included in the peace treaty concluding the Crimean war, therefore still technically at war with Russia [1]. In all the tellings, a second treaty has had to be signed to end the war, which suggests both parties need to agree.
Now in an alternate universe where Germany didn't realise it was at war if it invaded Poland, so it never invaded France. Fast forward X years on, and France wants to sign a peace treaty (because it's embarrassing being in the EU but at war with a fellow member, and makes Schengen complicated), but Germany doesn't see the need because they aren't at war. Can France unilaterally declare peace? Is Germany at war? (I suppose theres a legal and real world answer to this)
I'm reminded of an urban legend, where Berwick on Tweed wasn't included in the peace treaty concluding the Crimean war, therefore still technically at war with Russia [1]. In all the tellings, a second treaty has had to be signed to end the war, which suggests both parties need to agree.
[1] http://www.berwickfriends.org.uk/history/berwicks-war-with-r...