UK Foreign Secretary sees no sign of Putin’s desire for peace talks
Photo: British Foreign Secretary David Lammy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Vladimir Putin's statements and demands do not yet indicate any intention to start negotiations to end the war with Ukraine. The UK wants a lasting peace, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says.
"At this stage, we do not see Russia serious about negotiations and serious about peace. And the conditions that were set out by Putin last year were not any basis on which you could seriously expect a sovereign country to begin negotiations," he said in Kyiv at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Lammy noted that the United Kingdom had been at the forefront of providing Ukraine with the necessary military capabilities. "We have led from the front. And that is why we are the first country to sign a 100-year partnership with Ukraine. And it's a partnership in which we intend to work alongside Ukraine to continue to build their innovative defense capability," he said.
The British Foreign Secretary also outlined the conditions for a future peace that would make Russian aggression impossible.
"And I have no doubt that when we get to a peace, and we will one day get to that peace, you would expect to see the United Kingdom, of course, playing its full part to ensure that Putin does not come back once again. This has to be an enduring peace. And the United Kingdom is very clear on that," he added.
Talk of talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine intensified after the election of US President Donald Trump three months ago, who promised a peace deal within 24 hours. During that period, fighting on the front line has only intensified, as has the shelling of Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to negotiate with Vladimir Putin if that is the only option that will bring peace to the citizens of Ukraine and not lose people.
Polls show Ukrainians remain flexible and open to discussions on the parameters of a peace deal. But they are not in favor of "peace on any terms". If Ukraine becomes a member of NATO (in addition to EU membership), then even with the postponement of the liberation of the currently occupied territories, 64% are ready to support this option.
