Zelenskyy in stronger position, we are approaching starting point of negotiations – Finnish president

According to him, Zelenskyy "is playing his cards right", he and Ukraine in general "are now in a much stronger position than two months ago." Stubb explained that Ukraine is now receiving the military and financial aid it needs, and there is no situation "close to despair" due to the blocking of aid from the United States.

"From the very beginning, he (Zelenskyy — ed.) sought to seize the initiative in the discussion process. Now the ball is in Russia's court," says the Finnish leader, meaning that now it is Russia's turn to respond to the peace proposals put forward by Ukraine.

At the same time, Stubb stressed that the start of negotiations does not mean that Ukraine should make concessions: "It is necessary to distinguish between a possible discussion process, which is not an end in itself, and peace."

According to the Finnish president, Russia should withdraw its troops from Ukraine to achieve peace. Stubb is convinced that China's leader Xi Jinping, who "takes a strong position towards Russia," can help in a peaceful settlement.

Diplomatic path of Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv wants to develop a plan to end the war and simultaneously strengthen its capabilities on the battlefield. He explained that in case of continued pressure on Russia, it can be forced to a diplomatic settlement.

Ukraine has already held the first peace summit in Switzerland. The head of state said that after its conclusion, it would be "months, not years" before the next conference. Some countries have already expressed their interest in holding it.

At the same time, regarding Russia's participation in it, Zelenskyy said that it would mean Moscow's readiness to end the war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Russia can be included in the second Peace Summit in the format of the "grain agreement" - when Ukraine was negotiating with Turkiye and the UN, and they were communicating with Moscow. Kuleba stressed that Kyiv does not want direct contacts with the Russian side.

However, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Russia does not plan to participate in the second Peace Summit. The event was called an "attempt to rehabilitate for the failure" during the first Summit in Switzerland, and President Zelenskyy's "peace formula" was called "hopeless and ultimative."