West to insist on peace talks if Ukraine doesn't win back occupied territory by autumn, claims Bild
Ukrainian military near Bakhmut, February 24, 2023 (Photo:REUTERS/Marko Djurica)
The U.S. and Germany say that Ukraine has until autumn to win back its occupied territories, otherwise they begin to pile on pressure for peace talks with Russia, German newspaper Bild claimed on Feb. 27.
The publication stated that these discussions are being held behind closed doors.
Bild believes that "any hesitations allow Putin to stabilize the internal situation in Russia and Russians to believe in their victory".
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz and France's President Emmanuel Macron called on Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold peace talks with Russia during Zelenskyy’s visit to Paris in early February.
Some countries believe that Ukraine's tightening ties with NATO can be serve as a starting point for opening peace negotiations with Russia, according to WSJ’s sources in the German, French, and UK governments, though German news agency Welt has denied that these government have such stance.
On Feb. 24, Zelenskyy stressed that any negotiation with Moscow will be possible only after complete withdrawal of the Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine and a ceasefire. In January, the White House stated that they have seen no signs that Russia is really ready for a diplomatic settlement, and that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine on the battlefield.
We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the
world. Support
us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
