Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday, at the beginning of his tour of the Baltic states, that Kiev is not under pressure from its allies to stop fighting Russia.
In visits to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, Zelensky hopes to stem the war-weariness among Ukraine's Western allies, secure more financial and military aid and discuss Kiev's efforts to join NATO and the European Union.
However, shortly before the Ukrainian leader began talks with Lithuanian President Gitanas Naused in Vilnius, the Italian Defense Minister said in Rome that the time had come for diplomacy to pave the way for peace, Reuters reported.
When asked in Vilnius whether Ukrainian partners are now calling on Kyiv to stop fighting, Zelensky said: "There is no pressure from our partners to stop defending. There is no pressure to freeze the conflict, at least not yet".
"There are different voices in the media, I've read everything," he said at a joint press conference with Naused. "However, I believe that our partners are not yet officially ready to send us such signals. Even though I didn't hear them myself".
The three Baltic states are among Kiev's staunchest supporters in the EU and NATO, and have provided Ukraine with military aid even in the weeks ahead of Russia's February 24, 2022 invasion.
All three countries, as well as Moldova, would be targeted by Russia if that country wins in Ukraine, Zelensky said.
With all indications that the war will continue after Ukraine's offensive last year failed to bring the breakthrough Kiev had hoped for, Ukraine is appealing to its Western allies for more financial and military aid.
"Uncertainty of financial and military assistance from partners to Ukraine only strengthens the audacity of the Russian Federation. Therefore, we must not prolong that process any longer," Zelenski told reporters.
He pointed out that Ukraine is facing an acute shortage of modern air defense systems against Russian missile and drone attacks.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Croceto said before the Italian Parliament that the Ukrainian counter-offensive did not provide the desired result, and that the military situation should be looked at realistically.
"From this perspective... it seems that the time has come for skillful diplomacy, along with military support, because there are a number of important signals coming from both sides," Kroseto said.
Russia is increasingly expressing its readiness to negotiate and preserve its economy, while Ukraine's position seems less uncompromising than before, he pointed out. "All this must be taken into consideration on the way to negotiations to stop the conflict and the subsequent process of normalization of relations, not only between Russia and Ukraine, but also with Western countries," he said.
"In Ukraine, it seems that the domestic front is no longer as united as before in supporting the policy of President Zelensky, which indicates certain differences in the political discourse," Kroseto said.
Italy last month passed a decree allowing it to continue sending war supplies to Ukraine until the end of 2024. The government of Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni also agreed to send additional material to Kiev to boost its defense capabilities.
Croceto, a strong supporter of Kiev and a prominent member of the Brotherhood of Italy party, reiterated that any kind of peace talks must clearly recognize Russian aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.
"Complete territorial integrity and recognized borders of Ukraine remain the goal of the entire international community," he said.
Reuters reminds that Russia has announced that it is ready for peace talks if Ukraine considers "new realities", suggesting the recognition that Russia controls about 17,5 percent of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky rejected any idea that Russia is interested in negotiations while Vladimir Putin is in charge and pointed out that Moscow would agree to a pause in the fighting only to buy time to recover the army.
NATO promises billions of euros in aid
At the meeting held yesterday, the NATO allies made it clear to Ukraine that they will continue to provide that country with significant military, economic and humanitarian aid in its fight against the Russian invasion.
In a statement after the video conference, NATO added that members have drawn up plans to provide Ukraine with "billion euros in further capacity" during 2024.
"NATO strongly condemns Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, which include weapons from North Korea and Iran," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
"While Moscow is intensifying attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians, NATO allies are strengthening Ukrainian air defenses," he added.
Ukraine was represented at the meeting by Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Kyiv Air Force, and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Oleksii Serhiyev.
Yesterday's NATO meeting was held at the request of Ukraine.
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