Russia may seek UN Security Council approval to annex occupied Ukrainian territories - diplomat

He shared his opinions on Espreso TV.

"Ukraine's task was and is to form a coalition of military forces to compel Russia to peace. More precisely, the war criminal sitting in the Kremlin, and the country that disregards all the rules of the global security order. Right now, the right of the strong is becoming much stronger than the force of law," explained Chaly.

The diplomat added that the United States will not be able to negotiate a settlement to the Russian-Ukrainian war without the participation of European countries. In turn, EU leaders must do everything possible to strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position.

"To get out of the situation we are in today, Ukraine's negotiating position needs to be strengthened. Today, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the EU will not lift sanctions on Russia just like that. This is what strengthens the negotiating position. I believe that at this stage of events, France, and the UK should take the initiative in these negotiations. Two nuclear countries that are members of the UN Security Council, where Russia is likely to turn to formalize Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories, despite Kyiv's position—such a risk exists. And this will happen if the negotiation process continues as it is now. Therefore, these countries must join the negotiations alongside the U.S. If the U.S. did not see the need for this, they now understand that without European countries, they cannot resolve this," he emphasized.

• On March 26, it was reported that U.S. President Donald Trump believes that Russia wants to "see an end" to the war in Ukraine and sign a peace agreement, but they are likely "dragging their feet."
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Russia's conditions for an agreement on a ceasefire in the Black Sea include lifting European sanctions.
• On March 27, French President Emmanuel Macron said that if peace was reached in Ukraine, a multinational European deterrent force would be sent in to help maintain stability.