Ukraine not yet ready for talks with Russia on ending war - top official

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian President's Office, stated this in during an interview with Suspilne.

"That’s why we’re telling our partners how crucial it is to strengthen Ukraine. We also need to dismantle Russian narratives claiming Ukraine wanted this war. Ukraine neither wanted it nor provoked Russia in any way. The Russian Federation came here not to protect anyone — it doesn’t even defend its own territory," Yermak said.

According to Yermak, Vladimir Putin is intent on continuing the aggression. "For negotiations to start, Ukraine must be strong. Only then can we talk to Russia on equal terms," he emphasized, adding that the Kremlin’s rhetoric is nothing but the language of ultimatums.

• On December 10, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that peace talks on the war in Ukraine might begin this winter.