NATO Secretary General Opposed Early Peace Talks with Russia: Rutte Named the Condition.

The NATO Secretary General Called for Delay of Peace Talks with Russia

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called for delaying peace talks with Russia until military aid to Ukraine is strengthened. This was reported by The New York Times following a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

According to the publication, NATO's new position is being formed against the backdrop of alarming intelligence data: while the Russian army is losing up to 1500 soldiers a day (according to intelligence estimates), Ukraine is gradually losing territory.

NYT provides details about the escalation of the conflict: last month, Ukraine used British and American long-range artillery for the first Time on Russian territory. In response, Moscow struck a factory in eastern Ukraine with an experimental ballistic missile designed to deliver nuclear weapons.

The publication also reveals a change in President Zelensky's position on peace talks. While he previously insisted on the impossibility of territorial concessions, he is now signaling readiness for temporary compromises in exchange for NATO membership. 'Our army lacks the strength to liberate the occupied territories,' the NYT quotes Zelensky's words from an interview with Kyodo News.

According to the publication, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga stated the need for at least 19 additional air defense systems to protect the population and energy infrastructure.