MFA responds to whether Ukraine feels pressure for rapid peace deals

"There is no pressure on us. It is very important not to manipulate the term 'peace.' We are talking about a comprehensive, just, sustainable, and lasting peace for Ukraine. This is very important. It’s not a separate understanding of a just peace. There is no pressure on us," said Sybiha.

He added that Ukraine, together with its allies, is working towards achieving this goal.

"Moreover, on the contrary, we are exchanging ideas on how to strengthen Ukraine in its pursuit of a just peace," the Ukrainian minister said.

The Estonian Foreign Minister also shared his thoughts on the matter.

"Everyone says that we need to find peace at any cost, but if you compare the situation in Europe now to three years ago, you will see that the understanding is different now. Everyone understands that Ukraine is for lasting peace, and undoubtedly, everyone wants peace. But everyone also understands that if we only have a ceasefire, if we just have more Minsk agreements, there will be no peace," he emphasized.

Tsahkna noted that in such a case, there would be a pause, but Russia’s aggression would continue, as the main point of view is that Putin has not changed his primary goal — to destroy the existing international law.

"Now the question is more practical: what can we do right now? We need to provide support to Ukraine in both the military and economic spheres. This is the start to have a stronger position. And if we manage to change Putin’s main goal and start negotiations for a just and sustainable peace, security guarantees will be needed for that," added the Estonian Foreign Minister.

He emphasized that Estonia has a very clear position: the best working guarantee, not only for Ukraine but for Europe, is NATO membership.

"Of course, we can talk about whether it’s the right time for an invitation or not, but I believe in real processes. So, if we are ready, if we really support Ukraine now to give it a stronger position, the next steps must be working security guarantees," Tsahkna stated.

According to him, this does not mean full NATO membership at the start, but "we need to discuss all these technical aspects."

"We must jointly defend the position that full membership in the EU and NATO brings stability not only to Ukraine but to Europe. It is in our interest for Ukraine to become a full member of NATO, because neutrality is a green light for Putin," the Estonian minister emphasized.

Ukraine's position on negotiations with Russia

Earlier, Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, stated that Ukraine is capable of negotiating peace with Russia, but only through coercive tools. In his opinion, effective pressure on the aggressor requires economic and diplomatic unity.

Podolyak also mentioned that negotiations with the government of the aggressor country are impossible because Russia has not yet been made to pay a sufficiently high price for the war.

Furthermore, Podolyak believes that the delay by Western countries in providing Ukraine with weapons and allowing strikes with Western missiles on the territory of the aggressor helped the Russian army reorganize and prepare for further warfare.

Meanwhile, Andrii Yermak, head of the President’s Office, stated that Ukraine's position is not yet strong enough for negotiations with Russia.

At the same time, the White House believes that Ukraine and Russia are not ready for negotiations in the war. Sanctions imposed against the aggressor country cannot be used as a bargaining chip when negotiations eventually take place.