Ukraine not yet in strong position for peace talks: NATO chief
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Monday that Ukraine was not yet in a strong position to begin peace talks with Russia ahead of President-elect Trump taking office next week with a pledge to end the war.
Rutte told the European Parliament's foreign affairs and defense committees the hope was to ensure Ukraine has adequate security guarantees so that Russia could not attack again, but he expressed doubt that the current stage of the war afforded the opportunity for such a deal.
"At this moment, clearly, Ukraine is not there," he said. "Because they cannot, at this moment, negotiate from a position of strength. And we have to do more to make sure, by changing the trajectory of the conflict, that they can get to the position of strength."
Rutte said the peace talks also have to grapple with Ukraine's future relationship with NATO.
"But it's too early now to exactly sketch out what that exactly will mean, also something we have to discuss with the incoming U.S. administration," he said. "But let's hope that we will get to that point as soon as possible."
Trump, who takes office Jan. 20, confirmed last week he is planning a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin said it was open to the possibility.
Trump said during his campaign he would end the war quickly, but has more recently played down expectations. He has said in recent weeks Ukraine is "much more complicated" than the war in the Middle East and, during a press conference last week, said he hopes to solve it "long before six months" into his second term.
The Biden administration has tried to increase Ukraine's strength by surging weapons to the country and lifting late last year a policy preventing Kyiv from firing long-range missiles deep into Russian territory.
Still, several billion dollars in approved security aid are being left over for the Trump administration to potentially use.
Ukraine is struggling against a larger Russian army across the eastern front line, where Russia is pressing ahead, particularly in the Donetsk region.
Ukraine is also losing territory in the Russian region of Kursk, a part of which Ukrainian troops occupied in August.
Rutte, who has repeatedly warned that Ukraine must be in a strong position for any negotiations, said Monday the future of European security hinges on the war against Russia.
"We all want this war to end," he said, "but above all we want a peace to last. I don't know how or when the war will end, but I do know peace will not last if Putin gets his way in Ukraine."
Topics
-
Putin’s Plan for Peace Is No Peace at All
Now is the time for the United States to build on its historic success supporting Ukraine, not squander it.The New York Times - 3h -
Cowboys' Jerry Jones has talked to Deion Sanders regarding HC position; Sanders finds opportunity 'intriguing'
Here's why Deion going to Dallas is unlikelyCBS Sports - 7h -
Israeli Security Chiefs Join Critical Talks for a Cease-Fire in Gaza
Pressure is on to reach a deal that would see Hamas release at least some hostages before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office.The New York Times - 1d -
Cowboys, Mike McCarthy have yet to open contract talks as current deal set to expire, per report
McCarthy's contract runs out on Tuesday and will then become coaching free agentCBS Sports - 19h -
LA fires live updates: California death toll rises to 24 as Los Angeles fire chief says ready for strong winds
Eight of the dead found in Palisades fire zone and 16 in Eaton fire zone, medical examiner says, as forestry department warns of ‘critical fire weather’. Full story: stronger winds threaten ...The Guardian - 1d -
UK foreign policy chief says Trump is right to urge higher military spending from NATO
Britain's top diplomat says Europe’s security “is on a knife-edge” and President-elect Donald Trump is right to say NATO member nations must increase military spendingABC News - 4d -
Turkey insists on two states for ethnically divided Cyprus as the UN looks to restart peace talks
Turkey has again insisted on a two-state peace accord in ethnically divided Cyprus as the United Nations prepares to meet with all sides in early springABC News - 5d -
Turkey insists on two states for ethnically divided Cyprus as the UN looks to restart peace talks
Yahoo News - 5d -
Ukraine war briefing: Trump sympathises with Russian stance against Ukraine joining Nato
President-elect says he understands Moscow’s feelings about having ‘somebody right on their doorstep’; Biden to announce weapons package. What we know on day 1,049. See all our Ukraine ...The Guardian - 6d -
Bad Bunny Talks ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos,’ His ‘Most Puerto Rican’ Album Yet
In an exclusive video interview, the world-conquering Latin superstar discusses why his new album is filled with traditional sounds and rhythms from his homeland.The New York Times - Jan. 5
More from The Hill
-
Strong winds forecast for LA threaten wildfire fight
Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters have arrived in the Los Angeles area ahead of fierce winds that were forecast to return and threaten the progress made so far on two massive ...The Hill - 49m -
Hegseth set to start Trump’s Cabinet confirmation hearings
The Senate battle to confirm President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks will begin in earnest on Tuesday, as his controversial pick to lead the Pentagon, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, meets the ...The Hill - 54m -
How Trump's Greenland demands could impact Ozempic costs
President-elect Trump's threat to tariff Denmark if it resists his acquisition plans for the island territory of Greenland could disrupt one export that is wildly popular in America: Ozempic. ...The Hill - 54m -
Meta’s fact-checking changes stoke disinformation concerns
The end of fact-checking at Meta is raising fresh concerns its platforms will become a hotbed of disinformation as the network hands over the policing of content to users. The move, coupled with ...The Hill - 54m -
Poll: Do Americans want more states? Are we on the right track now?
A January 10-11 survey of 1,000 registered voters found President Joe Biden with a 37% approval rating in the final week of his presidency, 12 points lower than when Emerson first polled his ...The Hill - 54m
More in Politics
-
Strong winds forecast for LA threaten wildfire fight
Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters have arrived in the Los Angeles area ahead of fierce winds that were forecast to return and threaten the progress made so far on two massive ...The Hill - 49m -
Michigan lawmaker who spoke at Dem convention endorses Wikler for DNC chair
Michigan state Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow (D), a rising star in the party who spoke at the Democratic National Convention last year, is endorsing Wisconsin state party chair Ben Wikler ...The Hill - 54m -
Schools brace for clash with immigration officials ahead of Trump term
K-12 schools across the U.S. are gearing up for potential efforts to shield their students as the incoming Trump administration sets its sights on deporting millions of people. Administrators and ...The Hill - 54m -
Democrats' hopes of derailing Trump nominees fading fast
Democrats' hopes of defeating any of President-elect Trump's Cabinet nominees appear to be fizzling as Senate committees prepare for the first week of hearings. Senate Democrats have yet to reveal ...The Hill - 54m -
Hegseth set to start Trump’s Cabinet confirmation hearings
The Senate battle to confirm President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks will begin in earnest on Tuesday, as his controversial pick to lead the Pentagon, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, meets the ...The Hill - 54m