Could war in Ukraine end this year? EU commissioner weighs in
Photo: Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defense and Space (Getty Images)
The European Union does not expect a ceasefire in Ukraine by the end of this year due to Russia's lack of willingness. Peace with Russia is only possible after sufficient pressure is applied through force, stated European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
"Well, I agree with that formula, which was supported at the very beginning by the United States, by Europeans, and by Ukrainians, that peace should come through implementation of the formula 'peace through strength'. And strength on the Ukrainian side," he said.
According to him, the United States had for some time tried to push Russia toward negotiations, but these efforts proved unsuccessful, as Moscow is not interested in a diplomatic resolution.
"The American administration was attempting to push the Russian side to real negotiations. But I think that it will not happen so easily as somebody may have expected," Kubilius noted.
Kubilius emphasized that Putin's unwillingness to end the war is the main obstacle to any progress toward peace.
"Putin does not want any peace for the time being. He considers that he is winning. And that is why peace, at the moment, is difficult for me to predict," he added.
Ceasefire talks between Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine had agreed in March to a US proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire with Russia. However, Moscow has refused to support the idea, instead putting forward a list of conditions that include an end to Western aid for Ukraine, lifting of sanctions, and a halt to Ukrainian mobilization.
Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov rejected the US proposal outright, calling it unacceptable. According to him, such initiatives fail to address Russia's key demands and interests.
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia might agree to a 30-day truce if the US puts enough pressure on the Kremlin.
Today, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that after completing talks with Russia on humanitarian issues, Ukraine plans to move toward discussing a potential meeting between President Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
RBC-Ukraine has analyzed why a full ceasefire on the front lines is unlikely to be achieved before the end of the year.
