Stoltenberg: no conditions yet for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that, in his opinion, the conditions for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine “have not yet been created.” He expressed this idea at an event organized by the Financial Times.

“The conditions have not been created yet, because Russia has not shown signals that it is ready for negotiations while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. But neither I nor Brussels should decide this. Ukrainians must decide when the time comes for negotiations,” Stoltenberg said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov declaredthat negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are now impossible, since they are denied by the Ukrainian side. To resume dialogue, Ukraine must not only repeal the law refusing to negotiate with Moscow, but also show political will. According to him, Kyiv must show readiness to discuss Russia’s demands, “which are well known.”

Russia’s special operation in Ukraine began on February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the protection of the inhabitants of Donbass, as well as the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, its goals. During the special operation, the LPR, DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions became part of Russia.

Since the beginning of hostilities, the parties have held negotiations several times. The first three face-to-face meetings took place in Belarus in February-March, and the fourth round of the Russian-Ukrainian dialogue was held on March 29 in Istanbul. Later, the process was frozen, since Ukraine withdrew from it. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a document refusing to negotiate with Russia as long as Vladimir Putin is its president.

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