Sybiha: Russia Not Ready for Serious Talks While It Bets on Pressure

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia will not agree to serious peace talks as long as it hopes to reach its goals through pressure on Ukraine, according to the ministry's press service.

"As long as Russia believes it can achieve the goals of its invasion, goals it cannot achieve on the battlefield, by pressuring Ukraine to force it to capitulate, it will not be ready for serious negotiations," he said.

Sybiha added that keeping up and increasing pressure on Russia remains critical to ending the war. "Peace through strength is the only strategy that works. But this strength must be directed against the aggressor, not against the country that is defending itself. This war cannot be ended by stopping Ukraine's resistance. It can be ended only by stopping the aggressor's attacks."

Context

Earlier, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Moscow is ready to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine and the US after November 4. More in our World section.