Sec Gen-Conditions For Peace In Ukraine 'Not There Now': FT

Speaking to anFT event, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that the conditions for reaching a peace in Ukraine are 'not there now', putting a dampener on nascent hopes of potential diplomatic talks.

• Stoltenberg: “The conditions [for talks] are not there now because Russia has shown no sign of engaging in negotiations which are respecting the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. It is for Ukrainians to decide when the time is right to start to negotiate and to agree the conditions. Most wars and most likely also this war will end at the negotiating table.”
• In recent days, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has talked with Russian President Vladimir Putin by telephone, while US President Joe Biden stated that he would be willing to hold talks with the Russian leader.
• The onset of winter was raised by US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Mark Milley as a potential on-ramp for talks, but despite plummeting temperatures there seems to be little indication from Kyiv or Moscow of a cessation in hostilities.